Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
'Korean Zombie' has 'no excuses' after epic KO loss
Yair Rodriguez elbows Jung Chan-sung during UFC Fight Night at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on Nov 10. The last-second attack finished the fight. USA TODAY-Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
After a brutal battle / Screengrab of Jung's Instagram
By Jung Min-ho
Mixed martial artist Jung Chang-sung, better known as “the Korean Zombie,” said he had “no excuses” about his epic KO loss to Yair Rodriguez in Denver on Saturday night (local time).
At UFC Fight Night 139, Jung was on his way to a five-round decision victory before being caught by a reverse elbow that sent him straight to the canvas at the last second.
“I have no excuses. I'm truly sorry and grateful to everyone who helped me,” Jung wrote on Facebook. “I was told that I'm not in a condition for air travel yet. I will spend a few days in a hospital before returning to Korea. I'm embarrassed ... But I will see you when I get home.”
In the highly anticipated event, which marked Jung's first appearance since Feb. 4, 2017, he was ahead on the scorecards and ― literally ― a second away from what could have been a unanimous win. But the blind up-elbow from Rodriguez knocked him out cold.
Many fans called it the “fight of the year” and UFC President Dana White also said it was the “crazy finish ever.” The two fighters took home $50,000 in bonuses.
Mandatory military service in his home country South Korea and several injuries have limited Jung to only two fights since April 2013.
With the KO loss, Jung dropped to 14-5 and has lost two of his last three fights.