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| Brian Ortega, left, punches Jung Chan-sung in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 17 2020, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. South China Morning Post |
By Ko Dong-hwan
UFC fighter Jung Chan-sung, better known as "The Korean Zombie," recollected his defeat to Brian Ortega and how he lost grip on himself by gaining 20 kilograms.
In a TV talk show aired Monday on SBS Plus, Jung said the training ahead of the fight on Oct. 17, 2020, psychologically pressured him so much that he could sleep only one and half hours for two days prior to the bout.
In the show hosted by South Korean triple-A TV personality Kang Ho-dong, Jung said the loss by unanimous decision was emotionally traumatic and perceived it as the end of his career. He said he had sought a psychiatrist after he returned to Seoul from Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates where the event was held.
"The thought that my career has crashed brought me down to rock bottom," said Jung, adding that he ate without control for a month.
Jung, who had been No. 4 in the featherweight division with 16 wins and 5 losses, fought the Los Angeles-based former featherweight title challenger and Jiu-Jitsu black belt holder, who was ranked No.2 with 14 wins with one loss, at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
All three judges scored in favor of the Mexican-American in a five round decision.
Jung said he experienced a blackout after the match from the sustained beatings to his head. "I don't remember anything from the second, third and fourth rounds," Jung said.
