The Korean Zombie (+116) vs. Dan Ige (-136)
Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Both Dan Ige and Chan Sung Jung, aka “The Korean Zombie”, will both be looking for a bounce back win when they square off for a potential five rounds at UFC Vegas 29.
For Zombie, this will be his first fight since a tough loss against Brian Ortega. Ortega came back from a layoff and looked very crisp with the striking, as good as ever arguably. Particularly effective were the leg kicks, which really helped to slow Zombie’s mobility.
Ortega ultimately broke Zombie down on the feet, which was surprising, and secured the underdog win en-route to a title shot.
Before the Ortega fight, Zombie secured a viscous KO of Frankie Edgar in his native South Korea. That fight was much more of a Korean Zombie trademark. He has very stiff counters, is always a submission threat and can be described as a technical brawler at times. Very few can wear his hooks or uppercuts and his counters can put just about anyone in the division out.
As for Dan Ige, this will be the Hawaiian’s second main event and second appearance of 2021. He had a very busy (and successful) 2020 in which he picked up multiple wins, highlighted by a razor close decision victory over Edson Barboza.
Ige’s first main event didn’t go his way, but it was a rough match-up. A shorter fighter who comes forward was a brutal match-up against Calvin Kattar and the fight went as expected. The chin strength of Dan Ige was on full display however, and although he got battered, his stock still rose. He showed he can go five rounds and has also demonstrated an ability to wear the best shots from Calvin Kattar and Barboza.
He then capped it off with a lightening quick knockout of Gavin Tucker his last time out.
Stylistically, Ige is very well rounded. He has spent extensive time training with Khabib and is a BJJ black belt. He doesn’t always employ offensive wrestling, but his submission defense is stellar, as is his get up ability.
Striking-wise he likes to come forward, which he does well. He closes distance very well and has viscous hooks.
Ultimately, I have to go with Dan Ige in this one. He’s just been trending up for so long now, improving every fight, while Zombie’s fights have been few and far between. He also didn’t look too sharp against Ortega, and while that will happen, it wasn’t a good look.
I could certainly see Zombie cat Ige while he comes forward, but Ige’s chin strength is proven. It’s far from a lock, but I like Dan Ige moneyline, now at (-126).
Prediction and play: Dan Ige moneyline (-110)
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