'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

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.