UFC featherweight Dustin Poirier engaged Chan Sung Jung on Twitter Wednesday. (Photo: Esther Lin / MMAFighting.com)
After Dustin Poirier's first round submission win at UFC 143 over Max Holloway, the question immediately arose of whether he was ready for a shot at Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. With the 23-year-old on a five fight win streak and Aldo without an immediate No. 1 challenger, Poirier (12-1, 4-0 UFC) looked like a good choice.
But along the way, the focus shifted to a battle with Chan Sung Jung, affectionately known as the "Korean Zombie" and beloved by many thanks to his three round stand-and-slug split decision loss to Leonard Garcia at WEC 48.
Things heated up between the two on Twitter Wednesday with Jung throwing the first grenade:
@KoreanZombieMMA
Chan Sung Jung Dustin Poirier? 6 seconds!
Favorite Retweet
Poirier then responded:
@DustinPoirier
The Diamond .@KoreanZombieMMA Trust me you don't want this... I will expose you.
Favorite Retweet
While he was 0-2 in the WEC, Jung (12-3, 2-0 UFC) submitted Garcia and knocked out Mark Hominick in six seconds in two 2011 Octagon appearances, picking up big bonuses in the process. Poirier went 1-1 in the WEC before moving to the UFC where he's won all four of his fights and has submitted his last two opponents.
With Eric Koch on the shelf with an injury, a No. 1 contender's bout between Poirier and Jung makes a lot of sense.
0 recs | 89 comments
Poirer may think that Jung doesn’t want this, but I sure as fuck do. Bring this on!
Empty Thoughts - February 8, 2012
Oh man...
Jose Aldo really has cleaned out the division, hasn’t he…
Matt Buckley - February 8, 2012
I like it!
Deim0sRising - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Poirier would fuck him up.
T.C. Engel - February 8, 2012 via mobile
As Hominick really should have.
BKdroid - February 8, 2012
agreed
Captain Leroy Hotdog Zanzibar - February 8, 2012
I really think that Tompkins was able to check Hominick's wild aggression and focus him.
Losing Shawn really messed with his head for that fight. Hom was so much more composed in his preceding fights.
ElliotMatheny - February 8, 2012
The fight lasted 6 seconds and Hominick made 1 mistake. That’s pure speculation.
He could have very well been wanting to make a statement like he did in the Roop fight by coming out aggressive and looking for an early finish because he wanted to get back track after his loss to Aldo.
Unless he tells us, we don’t know.
Diz D - February 8, 2012
Mark came out guns blazing, though.
He has never came out that wild or sloppy before.
ElliotMatheny - February 8, 2012
I agrree, but at the same time lets give the Zombie credit
Hominick expected the Jung to keep backing up when he came out guns blazing. Instead, Jung backed up, planted, then landed a perfect punch that ended the fight.
discoandherpes - February 8, 2012
Oh, all credit to CSJ for taking advantage of the opportunity when it was there.
But boy, did Hominick make it easy for him.
ElliotMatheny - February 8, 2012
Tompkins death seems to have impacted on all of his fighters’ performances. Roop, Stout and Hominick have all lost their first fights since his passing. Hominick drew but I didn’t get to see if his performance was effected or not.
Holls Hoyce - February 8, 2012
probably...
but that’s the beauty of mma, you just never know.
Kid Kimura - February 8, 2012
agreed
Captain Leroy Hotdog Zanzibar - February 8, 2012
What the heck does Aldo do in the meantime?
I’d say go ahead and let Jung fight Aldo for the belt. Then set up Poirer against Charles Olivera for an April fight to decide who is the #1 contender.
Problem solved.
aaronb - February 8, 2012
There are a lot of people that are ahead of Oliveira in terms of a title shot
Hioki, Nunes, Koch, Bart, Pearson.
I’d like to see Oliveira against at least 2 fighters who’ve actually fought in the UFC before putting him in a No 1 contender fight.
YPG - February 8, 2012
I hope they don't rush Olivera again
I’d rather they let him get 3 or 4 wins before giving him a top guy again.
Tats16 - February 8, 2012
I just think that dude is going to be a force at 145
Aldo is really the only guy I don’t think he beats in that whole division right now. Might as well put the hype push behind him now.
aaronb - February 8, 2012
Let him be a force then
Don’t just put him in there with Aldo after two fights at FW. He has not earned it, he does not have any name recognition, and beating Dustin Poirer won’t exactly help him as far as name recognition goes.
Anyway Jung vs. Poirer makes perfect sense right now. And let’s see how Nunes, Koch, and Hioki do in their next fights as well. With Dennis Siver jumping down, things will continue to be interesting. Oliveira can be brought along more gradually and hopefully build up a solid head of steam before he gets into the title picture.
If they can pick up Kawajiri, who may be a free agent now, that would be another very interesting addition they could make to the division.
Chromium - February 9, 2012
Hioki vs. Bart winner
discoandherpes - February 8, 2012
THIS
If Hioki wins impressively.
cager - February 8, 2012
KZ would open up Hercule Poirot like a grilled cheese sandwich
menckenstein - February 8, 2012
Why would someone open their grilled cheese sandwich?
Zachary Kater - February 8, 2012
A real man would never ask this question!
menckenstein - February 8, 2012
bacon
merryprankster - February 8, 2012
I guess he’s implying KZ will hit him so hard he’ll split down the middle revealing a hot, gooey, cheese-filled center. No clue really.
finkrod - February 8, 2012 via mobile
This will be KZ's facial expression
menckenstein - February 9, 2012
Main event of UFC on FX 3
Do it…
rscott94 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
hell yeah
merryprankster - February 8, 2012
I’d rather have Diaz-Miller as the 5 rd main event on FX 3. But this fight would be a great addition to that card!
Baba Booey - February 9, 2012
Yes please.
As much as the Koch/Poirier match would’ve been awesome I am glad that it didn’t happen. It’s like a Bader/Jones thing. It’s too good to be true. Why kill a contender? Also, who wants to see twin brothers fight each other?
Hart Thorson - February 8, 2012
you could say the same thing about a potential KZ vs Poirier fight
alxn - February 8, 2012
You sir are somewhat correct...
Actually you are pretty dead on. My mind just hasn’t wrapped around the fact that KZ is a #1 contender yet. That’s why I don’t think so. I seriously think Koch or Poirier would beat KZ pretty handily.
Hart Thorson - February 8, 2012
Zombie record
should be 13-2, garcia won via being garcia
JonBon Joey - February 8, 2012
Should arguably be 14-1, that loss to Kanehara was a pretty bad decision.
Sweet Scientist - February 8, 2012
How long is Kock actually out for?
I still like that fight
Our Bovine Public - February 8, 2012
I like this fight
Don’t think Poirer runs away with this by any means. Think he might be believing his own hype.
HeadKickLegSweep - February 8, 2012
Wanna believe my own hype but it's too untrue
the world brought me to my knees,
what have you brung you?
did you improve on the design
did you do something new?
well your name ain’t on the guest list
who brung you? YOU
the more famous person you come through
and the sexy lady next to you
you come too
then it hit me
standing outside of heaven
waiting for God to come and get me
I’m too uncouth
unschooled to the rules
and too gumshoe
too much of a newcomer
and too un-cool.
- Lupe Fiasco
Chris Groves - February 8, 2012
ok.
Cool.
HeadKickLegSweep - February 8, 2012
No.
halitosis - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Like Lupe Fiasco
Hate his fans that vastly overrated. He isn’t the second coming. Just because he’s intelligent doesn’t mean he’s an elite rapper.
discoandherpes - February 8, 2012
I just love that song and maybe 3-4 others
I get reminded of song lyrics ALL the times when comments say certain things…this time I just had a knee jerk reaction.
It also didn’t hurt that I HAPPENED to be listening to that song when I read that post.
Chris Groves - February 8, 2012
Dude raps about gentrification. He's my hero as far as rappers go.
sun yue - February 8, 2012
True
But his skills themselves are overrated. It’s not that uncommon for him to find himself on a song with average rappers and not even getting the top verse..
discoandherpes - February 8, 2012
Beaming
is my shit.
SentientAndroid - February 9, 2012
KZ!!
FTW. 20 year old Max Holloway making his UFC debut on short notice and looking like he belonged in the flyweight division was getting the best of Poirer on the feet imagine what KZ would do to him and oh if it hits the ground don’t forget KZ was the first person to pull off a twister in the ufc.
nickrodamous - February 8, 2012
Since when is Jung a great striker?
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
Ok
No one has ever gotten caught, right?
He also came out after that fight and said he’d never brawl again.
Then he KO’d the guy who dominated Roop.
HeadKickLegSweep - February 8, 2012
Of course people get caught.
Just like Hominick got caught.
I’m just saying. From what I’ve seen of Jung, his striking isn’t that impressive.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
no
but he’s pretty damn resiliant. Not a push over.
I just don’t know why Dustin would be so brash about the fight. His hands looked pretty damn slow against Max.
HeadKickLegSweep - February 8, 2012
Jung is a good fighter, and he's exciting to watch.
But being from Baton Rouge, I’m biased in favor of Poirier.
Poirier isn’t a pushover either. He was getting outstruck by Jason Young but pulled out the win. And I don’t think Jung’s striking is anywhere close to Young’s.
Basically, Poirier wins in a hard fought battle.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
Funny.
Your boy said he would “expose” KZ then you post a gif of him being “exposed” KZ wins via not having the douchiest tattoos ever.
nickrodamous - February 8, 2012
Uhhh, what?
Something about gifs, tattoos and exposure.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
I really am torn between the awesome spider webb tatt on his elbow and the scratch across the chest….which one is your fav?
nickrodamous - February 8, 2012
Is that why you're hating on him?
Because you don’t like his tattoos?
You’re cool.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
True story:
In the Summer of ‘09 I joined Gladiators in the Lafayette area. The first guy I remember seeing was Dustin and just thought to myself… "Is this guy for real? Fucking spider web tat on your elbow?! He thinks he is tough and I bet he is a douche. Someone needs to tell this kid that tats don’t make you a better fighter!"…one of the nicest guys ever after the first real encounter I had with him. Felt like a dick and learned that you can’t judge people.
Afrotikiman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Turns out he is pretty legit
Afrotikiman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Don't get me wrong, Dustin is a DAMN good fighter
But if he thinks he is going to walk through KZ, he’s out of his mind.
HeadKickLegSweep - February 8, 2012
I don't think he thinks he's going to walk through anybody.
He seems to be a humble guy.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
You're from Baton Rouge?
I’m from Lafayette. Met Proirier before – really cool guy.
Scott C. Broussard - February 8, 2012
From what we saw of Holloway, pretty sure that dude outstrikes KZ.
Matt Buckley - February 8, 2012
Korean Zombie vs Guy who inspired MTV Caged
Not hard to figure out who to root for.
Flashking - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Wait.
For real he inspired that show? KZ will have his head!!
nickrodamous - February 8, 2012
No, the show is in northern Louisiana, Porier is from southern Louisiana and trains put of Gladiators Academy while the caged guys fight out of Katate Mafia and their backyards. One of the trainers (Christian) was a teammate of Dustin’s however before moving away.
Afrotikiman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Apparently, Poirier was a champion in the promotion Caged centers around.
At least that’s what the promoter said on MMA Junkie radio. (I think.)
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
Saw 5 mins of that show.
The head trainer of the karate mafia gym was getting sent to either prison or jail that was enough for me fuck that show.
nickrodamous - February 8, 2012
Haha.
Yeah I never gave that show a chance.
Every show in Louisiana makes us look like fucking retards.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
Yeah and they don’t stop coming with new ones…duck commanders have a show now
Afrotikiman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Apparently...
we’re all drunks, live by a swamp, and kill alligators in our spare time.
sgiblin - February 8, 2012
They had a clip from Cajun Pawn Stars where I guy walks up and said something to the effect of “Coon or alligator?!” …I immediately turned off the television
Afrotikiman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I cannot wait for this fight to be put together. This is guaranteed fireworks. i’m very high on Poirer (amongst other things) and the Korean Zombie so this would be a great display on fierce MMA.
Sir Jacob of Ortingham - February 8, 2012
Porier would kill the zombie
Afrotikiman - February 8, 2012 via mobile
This fight would rock and would be a great set up for one of them as the #1 contender to Aldo. I don’t care who you think will be who, this fight could be fantastic and if one guy just destroys the other than it’s that much more exciting to see him fight the champ.
Andrew Zollinger - February 8, 2012
kinda strange that Poirer doesn't want a title shot...
but doesn’t mention Koch either…
HeadKickLegSweep - February 8, 2012
This is dumb.
Just tell the truth and say you want to compete against someone because they are a good fighter. Having to appeal to WWE fans is in the past. This sport is gaining legitimacy so fighters don’t have to act like they’re wearing hooker boots and speedos anymore.
NoHo - February 8, 2012
What’s wrong with speedos and hooker boots?
Pancrase was the shit.
les rallizes denudes - February 8, 2012
WAR
DIAMOND! Somehow this guy has become my favorite smaller fighter. His fights are always entertaining and he is a funny/ humble guy. KZ and Dustin would be an amazing fight. I really hope they will try and put this on the NJ May 5th FOX card, we tri-state jerks need more deeece fights for that date.
kellenavalanche - February 8, 2012 via mobile
This would be a great fight
I love Korean Zombie just saying ‘Dustin Poirier? 6 seconds!’
That’s awesome.
Chris Groves - February 8, 2012
Poirier looking for the easy road to the title. He should be calling out Koch instead.
andrew861 - February 8, 2012
The Koch fight is a better fight, but Zombie is a bigger name
KZ is a bigger opportunity for Dustin to get some hype around him. Though I’d love to see the Koch fight, too.
PackMMA - February 8, 2012
I don't think so
In my opinion KZ offers just as much a problem for Dustin that Koch does. Either would be a great fight. When I heard Poirer was fighting Koch I was very stoked though.
kellenavalanche - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I’m sorry but, as much I love Zombie, I don’t think he is anywhere near Koch’s level. Dustin was originally supposed to fight Koch but rather than ask to fight Koch, he’s been calling out Zombie nonstop at the post-fight press conference as well as post-fight interviews.
andrew861 - February 8, 2012
Koch’s not ready. He’s also been saying in interviews that he still wants to fight Koch.
dribblebib - February 8, 2012
This is the type of fight the UFC should be putting on FOX
two hungry lighter weight fighters that are always exciting fighting for #1 contender ship? i cant imagine why the ufc would want to showcase these guys on network tv.
KeVbK - February 8, 2012
Oh sh*t
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!
bonesthebaptist - February 8, 2012 via mobile
KZ by whatever he wants!
peet cassidy - February 8, 2012 via mobile
The Korean Zombie vs Dustin Poirier makes sense at this time. I hope that the UFC puts this fight together.
chrisbboy82 - February 8, 2012
I don't know why so many people give Poirier advantage
Poirier’s standing isn’t that good and even though his grappling is fantastic his offensive wrestling is somewhat lacking.
I think as long as KZ avoids getting taken down and controlled in bottom position, he has a great chance of winning this fight,
but to be honest, i think koch will beat both KZ and Poirier
DK_Monster - February 9, 2012
This would be an awesome fight.
Or any combination of Koch, Jung and Poirier for that matter. Lots of excitement no matter what gets set up.
NickRingp4pGOAT - February 9, 2012
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