In the Clinch: Holloway vs. Korean Zombie, UFC on ESPN 52 – An old-school classic is coming at UFC on ESPN 52.
I still remember the night when the Korean Zombie shocked the world. Toronto. UFC 140. Air Canada Centre. December 2011. Mark Hominick vs. Korean Zombie.
Hominick was coming off an amazing performance against then featherweight champion Jose Aldo at the record-breaking UFC 129 event, also held in Toronto. I was shocked as Zombie went in there and took out Hominick in seven seconds.
Seven seconds. It was the tied for the second-fastest UFC knockout ever at the time.
I remember a shell-shocked Hominick in the octagon, stunned that he was blown out like a candle on a birthday cake – before there even was a cake.
That fight leapfrogged the Korean Zombie into international superstardom. But it’s not 2011 anymore.
The No. 8 Zombie (17-7-0), 36, has had his ups and downs. He’s fought for the title twice and lost. He served his country of South Korea honorably at the cost of two years to his UFC career. Who can forget the tragic highlight-reel knockout loss in the dying seconds to Yair Rodriguez? But he’s a fan favorite, a charismatic fighter who always tries for the finish. While he’s lost two of his last three fights, they have been against top-notch competition.
And the competition for this fight on Saturday is in the championship tier.
Holloway (24-7-0), 31, has won the featherweight crown, and contested unsuccessfully for the interim lightweight title. Thought to be in the twilight of his career when he lost three title fights to Alexander Volkanovski, ‘Blessed’ silenced his critics with a decisive win over young prospect Arnold Allen in his last fight at UFC on ESPN 44 in April.
We have two certified strikers with slick submission skills ready to go at it Saturday. Both are loved for their exciting styles, and both want to send a message.
Who else could possibly remind UFC on ESPN 52 how things should be done?
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Max Holloway
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