- The Korean Zombie is set to take on Dan Ige in the main event of the upcoming UFC Fight Night.
- Chan Sung Jung is coming off of a loss to Brian Ortega, and needs a win to stay near the top of the Featherweight division.
- Dan Ige, the ostensible underdog by rank, is favored on the online sportsbooks.
LAS VEGAS - The Korean Zombie, Chan Sung Jung, is looking for a chance to move up in the Featherweight rankings.
Currently, the #4 fighter in the division, Max Holloway, Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez stand between Jung and the champion, Alexander Volkanovski. However, his most immediate opponent is Dan Ige, a fighter who is ranked eighth in the division, and who represents a make-or-break fight for Jung.
In October, Jung was defeated by Brian Ortega, who received a title shot based on the victory, as well as a position as a coach on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter.
It’s likely that Jung would have been in that spot if he’d managed to take Ortega down, and he knows it.
Jung sees this fight as a chance to maintain his status as a potential title contender in the division.
“I still believe I’m in title contention, and my goal is to win a world title. If for some what-odd reason that I do lose this fight, then maybe I will be kind of an exciting fighter,” said Jung, speaking to MMAJunkie.
For Ige, this is a chance to prove that he matters in the division - effectively, a chance to take Jung’s spot near the top of the Featherweight rankings.
"There's nothing more that I want than to become a champion, but a lot of people doubt that I have that potential," said Ige, speaking to ESPN. "I know for a fact I have that potential. ... I feel it in my veins. I have the ability, and I don't get that credit or praise because people only see the fight, they don't see the life.
Ige has a chance to take the fight - more than a chance, if one uses the online sportsbooks as a guide.
Chan Sung Jung vs. Dan Ige Moneyline
- Chan Sung Jung +105
- Dan Ige -125
Ige’s solid record in the division - a loss to Calvin Kattar being the only recent black mark on his record - seems to have convinced bettors that he has a real shot in this fight.
Chan Sung Jung vs. Dan Ige - Method of Victory - 5 Rounds
- Dan Ige Wins Inside Distance +240
- Chan Sung Jung Wins Inside Distance +275
- Dan Ige Wins By 5 Round Decision +220
- Chan Sung Jung Wins By 5 Round Decision +350
- Draw +5000
Intriguingly, both fighters are well rounded enough that the fight outcomes are pretty even.
Ige has a good shot to win inside the five rounds the fight is allotted, as does Jung. Ige does outdo Jung significantly in terms of decision victory likelihood, however.
This promises to be an exciting fight for sports betting fans, and should be one of the best of the night.
The main card for this Fight Night kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET.