UFC on FUEL 3: Is Chan Sung Jung Championship Material?

The "Korean Zombie" is an enigma in the world of MMA.

A gritty featherweight slugger who is also versatile on the ground, opponents never really know what to expect when they enter the Octagon opposite Chan Sung Jung.  

Usually, people classify Jung as a brawler because of his ability to walk forward through punishment in order to land a strike.  While this style earned Jung both the admiration of fans as well as a Fight of the Year award for his 2010 bout with Leonard Garcia, the Korean Zombie is a much more intricate fighter than his moniker would suggest.

Known for his slugfests, fans were surprised to see Jung's slick submission skills in his rematch with Garcia last year. He vindicated the loss by tapping Garcia out with the first twister in UFC history.

But the mat is no new territory for Jung, as he has seven submission victories to his credit and is a proven threat off his back. On the ground, he will jump at the first opportunity to finish his opponent and is not afraid to do it with style.

In terms of striking, Jung is evolving into a more technical fighter despite retaining his brawler persona. The Korean Zombie actually uses this to his advantage, as most opponents come in expecting a war and don't expect his level of technique.

The Mark Hominick fight is a perfect example of Jung's evolution as a striker.  

Hominick bought into the Korean Zombie's slugger reputation and tried to goad Jung into a dogfight from the get go. Keeping a level head, Jung showed off his technical side by sitting back and countering Hominick's strikes with a pin-pointed, accurate straight right that dropped the former top contender.

While just a seven-second snapshot of his improvement, the second fight with Garcia also showcased Jung's more composed and technical striking as he picked his shots better and avoided getting into a barn burner.

These recent wins, while spectacular, are a foundation for Jung to build off of, because, as of right now, saying he is championship material would be premature. While having the heart and determination of a future title holder, a win over Dustin Poirier is a must to prove that he has the skills of a champion.

If he can somehow pass the tough test that is Poirier and finish him in impressive fashion, then a zombie wearing UFC gold may not be that far-fetched.

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