“I have to stop,” “Korean Zombie” stated through a translator after the fight. “I’ve always aspired to be a champion, ever since I started in the sport, and I’m not here to be third, fourth or fifth.”
“I tried my best to give my best in the fight with Max Holloway and I really believed I could beat him. I don’t think I’ll ever get the opportunity again, so that was my last fight.”
Fans escorted their favorite out of the octagon by singing the entire arena to the hit song “Zombie” by Irish rock band The Cranberries.
Jong Seong-Jong, 36, moved from the WEC to the UFC in 2011 and in his debut fight under the organization’s banner, became the first fighter in its history to win by twister. Korean Zombie has twice fought for the UFC featherweight championship belt, losing by fourth-round TKO to Jose Aldo in 2013 due to a dislocated shoulder, and losing by similar result to Alexander Volkanovski in 2022. The South Korean fighter has early wins over Dustin Porier, Renato Moicano and Frankie Edgar.