Korean Zombie vs Dan Ige: the bookies were obviously wrong

Early in the morning of June 20 in the UFC Octagon, two elite welterweights, Chen Song-Jung (better known as The Korean Zombie and Dan Ige, will meet in the main event of the evening. Both fighters are in the top 10 of the UFC contenders rankings.

The UFC welterweight division is a mess. Fights are scheduled, canceled, and rescheduled. Champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn't know who the next challenger will be, and people's champion Max Holloway doesn't know who to fight either. Most likely, the winner of the Korean Zombie - Dan Ige confrontation will get the right to share the cage with either Holloway or Volkanovski. It's not certain, of course, because nothing is certain in the lightweight division for a couple of years now.

That's why he was aptly nicknamed the Korean Zombie. He's not a badass fighter, but his will and spirit are truly amazing. Zombie fights desperately, but the character he puts on very decent skills, which is why he is adored by fans. Yes, this guy is loved for his fighting spirit and the vibrant spectacle he gives the fan. And the fight with Dan Ige is a terrific idea because Dan is also a standout fighter and has received Fight of the Night bonuses more than once.

It's quite interesting to hear what other MMA fighters think about the outcome of the fight. Many of them are betting on Jung.

Stephen Thompson: I'll bet on Zombie. I love him, I love his style. He always puts on a show, he's not afraid to take risks. I'm a fan.

Ben Askren: I prefer Zombie. Ige has good power, but Zombie is usually good at holding his punches.

Diego Ferreira: It will be a good fight, but the Korean Zombie will take the win.

Edmen Shahbazyan: I think Zombie will win. I like him as a fighter.

Jung doesn't choose his opponents, he fights whoever he gets. And the opposition he has shared the cage with is quite impressive - he has fought Dustin Porter, Jose Aldo, Yair Rodriguez, Frankie Edgar, and Brian Ortega.

Dan Ige, of course, fought easier guys, and his only fight with a top opponent, by the way, he lost.

In fact, Dan Ige is a tough all-rounder, but not outstanding. He prefers to work in a standing position, he uses wrestling only as a last resort, but he can wrestle. The Korean Zombie has to show just how well deserved his place in the top 10.

UFC fighters who think Dan Ige is the favorite:

Merab Dvalishvili: Dan Ige. He trains very hard. And he recently had a son, which was an additional source of motivation for him. I think he will give his best and win this fight.

Anthony Smith: I like Dan Ige's chances, especially since Zombie doesn't fight that often. Man, I like Dan Ige in general, he's a terribly underrated fighter.

Rob Font: I like Ige's chances, he's got a tough right hook.

Jeff Neal: Definitely Dan Ige. In the UFC he's taken almost all of his fights to a decision, but he managed to finish his opponent’s last fight. Now he's probably got a taste of blood, and we may see another knockout from him in the upcoming matchup.

And Dan himself wants not just to win, but to win brightly and confidently:

We all understand that our sport is a business, and a fight with The Korean Zombie is a good promotion for me in that business. After I win, I will be one of the top five fighters in the world in our weight class, and I will be a contender for the title. I'll be just one step away from a championship fight or I'll be a contender right away. This is my opportunity and in this fight, I have to assert myself. I have to win with confidence, especially after John's loss to Ortega’s last fight. That encourages me to go out there and beat him with more confidence than Brian. I want a knockout, submission, or total dominance. I respect my opponent, but he's standing in the way of my goal.

Dan Ige gave a great description of the upcoming fight:

John has fought in many wars, but I really believe there is a difference between my strength and that of his former rivals. I can put out the lights with one blow. I always knew I had that ability. I've never demonstrated it except in my last fight. If he attacks me and fights like he always does, he will leave the octagon unconscious. We're going to have a war, but it will be a one-sided victory because I'm very well prepared for this fight and I'll do my job.

He was wrong about one thing, but about the most important thing. His strength, in fact, is not impressive compared to that of his former opponents, the Korean Zombie. And if Ige accepts open warfare, as he promises, in which case I choose the Korean.

Bookmakers offer odds of 1.909 on the victory of the Korean, 1.74 on the victory of the American, and 1.91 on the total less than 2.5 for 2.62