Issue 107
November 2013
Featherweight favorite Chan Sung Jung reminisces about his legendary fights against Leonard Garcia in the WEC and the UFC.
WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE TO A YOUNGER YOU?
“I wouldn’t really want to change anything because my career has gone pretty much as I’d planned, so I’d probably just say, ‘Good job.’”
WHICH FEELS BEST, A KNOCKOUT OR A SUBMISSION VICTORY?
“Definitely winning by a knockout.”
WHAT IS THE BEST THING THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
“I can’t really think of anything.”
BEST INSPIRATION TO FIGHT?
“I think you have to be your own best inspiration to fight. I do it because it’s what I do best, and I love to do it.”
BEST THING ABOUT MMA COMPARED TO OTHER SPORTS?
“It’s the most honest sport ever. It’s basic and it’s real.”
WHAT’S YOUR BEST MEMORY OF YOUR HISTORIC TWISTER VICTORY AGAINST LEONARD GARCIA IN 2011?
“It is a technique that I’ve always practiced when sparring, but I remember thinking at the time that it was a unique moment.”
BEST OPPONENT YOU’VE FOUGHT?
“It’s funny that you should mention the twister submission because that would have to be Leonard Garcia, in both fights.”
BEST GUILTY PLEASURE?
“Hey, I’m a zombie, so I don’t feel guilt.”
BEST MEMORY FROM YOUR FIRST BATTLE AGAINST GARCIA?
“I can’t remember much, to be honest. All I do remember is that I couldn’t hear anything because of the roar of the crowd. I just heard the roar, but that’s when I thought, ‘It’s really cool to be here.’
“Even though I lost at the end I think that was when the ‘Korean Zombie’ was born. It was the start of my career in the US, and I exist because of that fight.”
BEST WAY FOR YOU TO GET PUMPED UP FOR A FIGHT?
“I try not to get pumped up because I’m at my best when I’m feeling relaxed.”
BEST JOB BEFORE BECOMING A FIGHTER?
“I’d be hard pushed to say any of them because they were all boring and really sucked.”
THE CARTOON CHARACTER YOU BEST RESEMBLE?
“I’m not really a fan of cartoons, so I’d have to say none.”
WHO WOULD BE THE THREE BEST DINNER GUESTS ?
“That’s easy: my girlfriend, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta.”
BEST LESSON THAT LIFE HAS HANDED TO YOU?
“Don’t ever give up, and when you have the chance to grab everything you’ve ever aimed for in life then be prepared to put everything on the line.”
