Max Holloway has a history of bringing remarkable careers to a close, a fact that resonates as UFC 318 approaches. Many fans view the lead-up to July 19th as a tribute to Dustin Poirier`s extraordinary journey, as he prepares for what might be his final walk to the octagon.
While some have questioned Poirier`s mindset ahead of fighting in his home state of Louisiana, such concerns are unlikely to faze Max Holloway. After his previous fight ended in a stoppage, Holloway is eager to bounce back, even if it means preventing a respected opponent from achieving a storybook farewell. This isn`t the first time `Blessed` has been in this particular situation; on a prior occasion, he delivered one of his most memorable finishes.
Max Holloway`s Definitive One-Punch KO Ended The Korean Zombie`s Career in Singapore
In August 2023, Max Holloway secured his last victory in the UFC`s featherweight division before transitioning to lightweight. Following a win over Arnold Allen earlier that year, which helped him rebound from his third defeat to Alexander Volkanovski, `Blessed` aimed for consecutive victories by challenging a true legend of the sport.
Chan Sung Jung, widely known as `The Korean Zombie`, sought to deliver one final captivating performance for his fans when he headlined the UFC event in Singapore against Holloway. The Korean Zombie could have retired after his significant loss to Volkanovski the previous year, but facing Holloway presented another opportunity to conclude his career on a high note.
Regrettably, the outcome wasn`t what the seasoned 25-fight veteran had hoped for. True to his fighting style, Zombie aggressively pressed forward in the third round, committing all his effort to try and turn the fight`s momentum. Holloway countered decisively with a powerful right hand that sent his opponent face-first to the canvas, culminating in one of the most poignant UFC retirements in recent memory as `The Zombie` symbolically laid down his gloves.
Although he never claimed a UFC title, the South Korean icon forged an impressive career, notably submitting Dustin Poirier when they met in May 2012.
A Respectful Bond: Max Holloway and The Korean Zombie After Their Octagon Clash
Much like the mutual respect anticipated in the upcoming UFC 318 main event, a strong bond of admiration formed between Max Holloway and `The Korean Zombie` after their fight. Indeed, just a few months prior, `Blessed` traveled to South Korea to spend time with his former adversary.
They engaged in some friendly sparring and enjoyed local cuisine, but it was Holloway`s wife who ultimately astonished both fighters by surpassing their high scores on a punching bag arcade game.
Considering their past encounters and two shared battles in the Octagon, Holloway and Poirier are undoubtedly set to develop a unique bond once their highly anticipated fight on July 19th concludes.
