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'Korean Zombie' edges Ige in UFC main event

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

"The Korean Zombie" is back in the win column.

Chan Sung Jung defeated Dan Ige via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) in the featherweight main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

"I wanted to show all my skills and the capabilities of me becoming a champion," Jung said through an interpreter in his postfight interview.

Jung scored his first decision victory since 2008 - before he signed with the UFC - as his last nine triumphs came by way of knockout or submission.

The 34-year-old clearly won the middle rounds against Ige, connecting with several shots in the second and dominating his opponent on the ground in the third. Rounds 1, 4, and 5 were much closer, however, and could have made for interesting scorecards at the end of 25 minutes.

Ige appeared to be a bit busier in the opening round, which all three judges gave to him. However, Jung unanimously won the fourth. Ige came out firing on all cylinders in the final frame, pressuring Jung and connecting with heavy punches. But in the second half, Jung took him down again and controlled him for the rest of the fight, also attempting a rear-naked choke. One judge gave Ige the fifth round, while two had it for Jung.

"The Korean Zombie," who relied on his grappling more than usual, returned to the win column after losing a one-sided decision to top contender Brian Ortega - who will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title later in 2021 - in October. Jung, ranked No. 4 in the 145-pound division, has now won three of his past four outings.

Ige entered coming off a 22-second knockout of Gavin Tucker, but the step up in competition proved to be too much for the 29-year-old up-and-comer. Ige, who sits at No. 8 in the weight class, is 1-2 in his past three contests and 0-2 in UFC main events.

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