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Jun 22, 2019; Greenville, SC, USA; Chan Sung Jung (blue gloves) reacts to fight against Renato Moicano (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ben Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
The UFC Vegas 29 main event between Chan Sung Jung and Dan Ige was highly anticipated, not only because it was a clash of top-10 featherweights, but because of both men’s Octagon reputations for durability and a willingness to scrap. Although the fight had the potential to be an all-out war, instead it was a showcase of the technical skills of two well-rounded mixed martial artists.
UFC Vegas 29 main event highlights: Chan Sung Jung out grapples Dan Ige for unanimous decision
The first two rounds saw Jung and Ige fighting carefully and studying the other as they looked to find their range. Neither seemed to have any major physical advantages over the other, the difference was execution. “Korean Zombie” often was first in the exchanges, although the Hawaiian kept things close and made the rounds a bit harder to score. That was until Jung scored takedowns late in each round that likely swayed the first 10 minutes his way.
In the third, the Korean superstar got the fight to the mat within the first minute and took complete control of the round. He worked to “50K’s” back, threatened chokes, or pummeled his opponent’s face with potshots. Ige was stuck there for the entirety of the round, unable to escape from his opponent’s grasp, but surviving. However, heading into the final rounds he was surely down three rounds to none.
Realizing he was far behind on the scorecards, the 29-year-old came out more aggressive. He was more active and pushed the action on the feet. Each man scored with damaging strikes, but Ige seemed to have the advantage as the round progressed. That is until Jung landed another momentum-changing takedown with a minute left. He controlled from the top for the rest of the round and took the wind out of Ige’s fourth-round push.
Chan Sung Jung vs. Dan Ige
Ige’s urgency continued in the final round. The last five minutes turned into some of his best as he followed his corner’s guidance and attacked his opponent’s body. He landed a bunch of shots to Jung’s abdomen that certainly had an effect on the Korean output late. But like the previous four rounds, the fifth was a repeat as Jung once again got the fight to the mat, and transitioned Ige’s back.
When the final buzzer rang out the decision was no surprise, as Jung won the fight on all three judge’s scorecards. The fourth-ranked “Zombie” bounced back from his October defeat to featherweight top contender Brian Ortega. He has won three of his last four and moved to 5-3 as a main eventer inside the Octagon.
Ige has lost for the second time in his last three and falls short in his second opportunity headlining a UFC event.
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