Chan Sung Jung faces a serious uphill climb in Brazil. | Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com
Since Nov. 26, 2005, 15 men have tried and failed to beat Jose Aldo. Now comes Chan Sung Jung’s turn.
Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC 163 headliner:
Saad Awad: “Korean Zombie” is really tough, but I think Aldo is going to stop him with leg kicks and speed. He’s a little too fast with his hands, and unless “Zombie” starts checking kicks, he’s going to be in for a long night.
Kyle Kingsbury: Aldo wins.
Martin Kampmann: I think Aldo is going to win that one. “The Korean Zombie” is tough, but Aldo is just a badass.
Cyrille Diabate: I think Aldo is the best MMA fighter in the world. He will win against a very game and skilled opponent in “The Korean Zombie.” I’m a big fan of both.
Bubba McDaniel: Always Aldo.
Zach Makovsky: Aldo wins by first- or second-round TKO.
Igor Araujo: Aldo wins by TKO in round three.
Chris Clements: Aldo is way too fast for “Zombie,” and “Zombie” will never get him down.
Simeon Thoresen: Aldo wins via decision.
Javier Vazquez: Aldo all day long. I think the “Zombie’ is there for his marketability. I think Ricardo Lamas will be a much stiffer test for Aldo. Aldo will finish the “Zombie” in either the first or second round by strikes.
Travis Wiuff: I’m taking Aldo by KO in the second round.
Robert Drysdale: Aldo wins.
Nam Phan: I’m going for my Asian brother “Zombie” all the way.
Mark Bocek: Aldo wins by decision.
Colton Smith: I always like the underdog, but in this one, Aldo takes it by TKO in the second round.
Eric Prindle: Aldo wins by second-round knockout.
Georgi Karakhanyan: Aldo wins by TKO.
Travis Lutter: I have Jose in this one. I just think he is a little bit better everywhere.
Vinny Magalhaes: This is a fight where I really like the style of both guys. I really love watching “The Korean Zombie” grapple, but with Aldo, I really like his style because he’s on another level in all areas. People haven’t really seen him grapple too much, but just to give you an idea, when he used to do pure grappling, he was smashing guys back then who are now the best in the world in pure grappling. If it goes to the ground, I give the slight advantage to Aldo, but when it comes to striking, Aldo is better by far. I say Aldo will finish him by the third or fourth round. “The Korean Zombie” is not going to give in because he’s a great fighter, but I see Aldo finishing him.
Bryan Caraway: Aldo wins. He’s too precise, fast and powerful.
Ricardo Liborio: Aldo wins by vicious TKO.
Mike Ciesnolevicz: Aldo is going to destroy “The Korean Zombie.” I think it’s going to be a pretty one-sided fight. Aldo wins by TKO.
Tyron Woodley: Aldo wins by third-round KO. “The Zombie” is a stud but doesn’t have anything for Jose.
Gabe Ruediger: Aldo wins easily.
John Gunderson: I’m picking Aldo by KO in under three rounds.
Ray Elbe: Aldo is the scariest little guy in the world. “The Korean Zombie” is tough and will move forward, but Aldo is going to knick knack paddy whack his thighs to the bone before earning the KO.
Mitch Clarke: Aldo is my pick. Jung is too slow in the standup in comparison to Jose, and I think he’ll have a hard time keeping it on the ground. Aldo wins by TKO in round two.
J.J. Ambrose: I think that Aldo’s takedown defense is going to be too much for “The Korean Zombie.” I see Aldo picking him apart on the feet and finishing him like you do with all zombies: with a head shot.
Luke Barnatt: Aldo wins in round three.
T.J. Waldburger: Jose wins by staying on the outside and chopping at the “Zombie’s” legs. Jose will be too fast and too furious.
Daniel Downes: Unlike most zombies, Jung can tolerate a few blows to the head. He has a chance if he can absorb enough of them to let Aldo fatigue, like he has shown in the past. Despite this, the featherweight champ will not need that much gas in the tank when he earns the second-round KO. “Korean Zombie” fans will be disappointed, but at least it’ll be more entertaining than “World War Z.”
Jason Dent: Aldo wins any way it ends up. I believe he will finish “The Korean Zombie,” but if it goes the distance, I still think Aldo has this one.
Joe Duarte: Jose wins by TKO due to leg kicks in round three.
Pros Picking Aldo: 32
Pros Picking Jung: 1
Follow Mike Sloan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mikesloan19.