‘The Stun Gun’ loaded for Macau shot
By Jung Min-ho
DAEJEON ― Two months ago, the first Korean Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Kim Dong-hyun missed his shot at beating the Brazilian Demian Maia. With a bout against Paulo Thiago, another Brazilian, in November in Macau, “The Stun Gun” said he “won’t miss this time.”
The 30-year-old seemed like he has put the bitter loss behind him, looking fit and healthy at his newly opened gym in Daejeon. He had just come home from the Las Vegas of the Orient after the UFC poster shoot and was preparing to make a “glorious comeback”on Nov. 10.
“The recent loss taught me it takes more than just good preparation and skill to win a bout in the UFC,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times. “When the fight ended fruitlessly without a chance to do anything I had prepared, I felt so dejected. It was tough for quite a while but made me even hungrier for victory.”
Kim’s recent setback followed his first mixed martial arts (MMA) loss to American Carlos Condit last year ending a winning streak dating back to his debut in 2004. Kim said the first loss was more shocking but the second one was harder to accept, noting that “People started getting concerned about my career in the UFC from that point.”
To banish the doubts, Kim pushed himself harder to prove what he can do best and the next fight will be a good chance to put his abilities on full display, he said.
“Until recently, I had thought about changing my weight class from welterweight to lightweight and even my nickname to make a fresh start,” Kim said. “But I decided not to. All I’m thinking about now is to win the bout against Paulo Thiago where I am.”
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner is well-known for his submission moves and striking prowess. Although his total MMA record is impressive with 14 wins and four losses, he has managed to win only half his eight bouts in the UFC Octagon. His past four fights show his career may be in decline with just one victory, a positive prospect for Kim’s chance to walk out of the cage with the win.
With other two Korean fighters, Kang Kyung-ho and Lim Hyun-gyu, making their debut in the Chinese city, Kim said feels more weight on his shoulders as the nation’s UFC pioneer, noting that “He wants to pave the way for more Korean prospects to come to the world’s biggest MMA stage.”
Kim said he is a little concerned about his age but seeing many active fighters in their 40s in the UFC, he is still confident in continuing to fight there.
“I don’t doubt my victory in Macau as long as I’m well-prepared, which I will ensure,” Kim said. “People say the darkest hour is just before dawn. For me, that seems like now.
“By the way, my birthday is shortly after the fight. I hope I can celebrate a victory at the party.”