Asia's highest-ranked mixed martial artist Jung Chan-sung said fighters must remember they're idols for children as he slammed last week's "shocking" scenes after Conor McGregor's defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The 31-year-old South Korean, also called "The Korean Zombie", said the post-fight violence, when Nurmagomedov and his team attacked McGregor and his entourage in images beamed around the world, had set back attempts to clean up MMA's image.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (C) of Russia is escorted out of the arena after defeating Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship bout by way of submission during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, October 6, 2018. /VCG Photo
"Hyping up the fight is understandable but violence outside the cage is a no-go. We are adults and should remember the impact what we do has on kids," Jung said at his Korean Zombie Gym in Seoul. His "Zombie" tag comes from his ability to keep moving forward into battle, even when under a barrage, and he could finish off his opponents in style.
"We should be inspiring kids and not shocking them," added Jung, who is ranked 10th in the world by the UFC in the featherweight division. Jung made the remarks ahead of this week's Angel's Fighting MMA event in Seoul, where all profits pay medical expenses for terminally ill children.
He said such charity initiatives showed MMA could have a positive impact. "In the past the image (of MMA) has not been great but we are seeing this change, and everything is looking positive," said Jung.
Jung Chan-sung of South Korea celebrates his victory over Dennis Bermudez (not pictured) of the US in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, US, February 4, 2017. /VCG Photo
Jung seemed destined for the top after joining the UFC in 2011. Following his country's compulsory military service and a knee injury, Jung exploded back on to the scene with a first-round knockout of Dennis "The Menace" Bermudez in February 2017. Now Jung has a career record of 14 wins and four losses.
Jung's next big bout will be in the main event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) 25th Anniversary show where he would fight against the UFC's former champion and third-ranked featherweight Frankie "The Answer" Edgar. The action will take place on November 10 inside the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
If he finds a way past the American veteran, the Korean fighter is expected to get a second shot at the featherweight title and to become the UFC's first Asian world champion.