Are you a big MMA fans? Have you ever wonder if there are any amazing fighter from korea? Well I do and so I’ve done some surfing and research to find the best korean mma fighter of all time. After hours of surfing the net and take a look at their style, I conclude there are 8 fighter from korean worth notice.
In this article I will share the the best korean MMA fighter of all time you need to know. I think most of you might already seen them without realizing they’re actually from Korea. Let’s take a look at each one of these impressive fighter!
Korean MMA Fighter
While most of Korean fans knew South Korea mainly from KPOP, Kdramas and K-Beauty, Korea actually thrive in almost every area including sports like MMA! Here are my top 8 picks of the best korean MMA fighter of all time including.
1. Yui Chul Nam (The Korean Bulldozer)
- Name: 남의철, Nam Yui Chul
- Pro MMA Record: 20-8-1 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: The Korean Bulldozer
- Age: 41
- Birthday: 1981-07-13
- Height: 5’9″ (176cm)
- Reach: 69.5″ (177cm)
Yui Chul Nam is a 41 years old korean martial artist with a 20-8-1 pro record. He is known as ‘The Korean Bulldozer’ for his amazing power punch and endurance in every fight.
He began his professional career at 2006 by competing in many various competition where he start got recognized. Last year, Nam won against A Sol Kwon in a 187 lbs catchweight.
2. Dong Hyun Kim (Stun Gun)
- Name: 김동현, Kim Dong Hyun
- Pro MMA Record: 22-4-1, 1 NC (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: Stun Gun
- Age: 41
- Birthday: 1981-11-17
- Height: 6’2″ (188cm)
- Reach: 76.0″ (193cm)
Dong Hyun Kim, known as ‘Stun Gun’, is a judo master who uses his judo skills to grind out his enemy with his impressive grappling techniques. He proved his skills as he knocked out Erick Silva. This Korean Stun gun was born in Suwon before moved to Daejeon where he attend his primary school. He learned Judo, Taekwondo and Hapkido when he was 14 years old.
Realizing he has potential and interest in Judo, he start to practice professional Judo during his college life at Yong-in University that later on led him to MMA career. Life is not always easy for Stun gun, due to his financial situation, he need to work as part timer in Auckland and do several other job that goes nowhere before he got back training and became one of the best korean mma fighter.
3. Doo Ho Choi (The Korean Superboy)
- Given Name: 최두호, Choi Doo Ho
- Pro MMA Record: 14-4-1 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: The Korean Superboy
- Age: 31
- Birthday: 1991-04-06
- Height: 5’10” (178cm)
- Reach: 70.0″ (178cm)
Doo Ho Choi, known as ‘The Korean Superboy’ is a baby face mixed martial artist that gain a lot of attention and fan base due to his cute child looks and impressive skills. He was born in Daegu and graduated from university in Gumi with security major.
His career looks amazing with 6 years undefeated record until his management overrated him and match him with Cub Swanson, a fighter that actually on a much different levels.
You can see how the korean superboy is literally try hard to survive and do his best to maintain his awareness despite many punches he received.
You can see how the korean superboy is literally try hard to survive and do his best to maintain his awareness despite many punches he received.
Even though he can maintain his awareness and endure all the pain, with all of the punches, it’s almost impossible for him to win or regain the momentum.
4. Rae Yoon Ok (The Legend Killer)
- Given Name: 옥래윤, Ok Rae Yoon
- Pro MMA Record: 16-4-0 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: The Legend Killer
- Age: 31
- Birthday: 1991-03-23
- Height: 6’0″ (183cm)
- Reach: 75.0″ (191cm)
With wins against top talents in China, Japan, and South Korea, Ok quickly proved that he belonged among the world’s elite fighters.
After claiming the lightweight belts in the Double G FC and HEAT promotions, he joined ONE Championship and made a splash with victories over Marat “Cobra” Gafurov and Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez.
He is known as ‘The Legend Killer’ by fans after defeat ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee in a grueling five-round battle in ONE’s 2021 MMA fighter. However, the two come back for a rematch in One Championship 2022 and he ended up losing by TKO.
5. Hyun Gyu Lim (The Ace)
- Given Name: 임현규, Lim Hyun Gyu
- Pro MMA Record: 14-7-1 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: The Ace
- Age: 38
- Birthday: 1985-01-16
- Height: 6’3″ (191cm)
- Reach: 77.0″ (196cm)
Hyun Gyu Lim, known as ‘The Ace’, got it’s title with a reason, he is master of knock out. He has massive power punch that literally can knock anyone out, makes him one of the most dangerous Korean MMA fighter.
Even though he didn’t really have amazing technique and impressive speed, his power punch is enough to cover all of it. Unfortunately, He got retired in 2018 after his last match with Igor Svirid.
6. Kyung Ho Kang (Mr. Perfect)
- Given Name: 강경호, Kang Kyung Ho
- Pro MMA Record: 18-9-0, 1 NC (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: Mr. Perfect
- Age: 35
- Birthday: 1987-09-09
- Height: 5’9″ (176cm)
- Reach: 73.0″ (185cm)
Kyung Ho Kang, known as ‘Mr.Perfect’, is one of the most handsome fighter born in Seoul, South Korea. When I first saw him, I thought I just saw ‘Andy Lau’, handsome actor from Hongkong.
Kang start his fighting career on the reality show “Go! Super Korean,” which is similar to The Ultimate Fighter. After winning the show, he signed with Spirit MC and had a successful start to his professional career with a record of 3-1.
In 2012, Kang entered the Road FC bantamweight tournament, but failed to make weight for his first fight against Andrew Leone and was given a 3 point handicap. Despite dominating the fight, Kang lost by decision.
He got another chance in the tournament when another fighter dropped out due to injury. Kang went on to win his next two fights by submission and faced Leone again in the finals, where he submitted him to become Road FC’s first bantamweight champion.
Kang start off his career on the reality show “Go! Super Korean,” which is similar to The Ultimate Fighter. After winning the show, he signed with Spirit MC and had a successful start to his professional career. Hist last fight happened last year in 2022 where He won the match against Batgerel Danaa.
7. Seo Hee Ham (Hamderlei Silva)
- Given Name: 함서희, Ham Seo Hee
- Pro MMA Record: 25-8-0 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: Hamderlei Silva
- Age: 36
- Birthday: 1987-03-08
- Height: 5’2″ (158cm)
- Reach: 62.0″ (157cm)
Seo Hee Ham, known as ‘Hamderlei Silva’, is a south korean female kickboxer and martial artist. She is known for agressive move and fighting style, even though she has a disadvantage of being undersized compare to the standard female fighter.
She got her nicknamed due to her similarities with Wanderlei Silva in her movement and style of fighting. Ham start off learn kickboxing at 2004 and since then has fought in Deep, Smackgirl, and Jewels.
Her last fight happened last year where she won against Denice Zamboanga. The most exciting news is that soon she will Itsuki Hirata at 24 march 2023.
8. Chan Sung Jung (The Korean Zombie)
- Given Name: 정찬성, Jung Chan Sung
- Pro MMA Record: 17-7-0 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- Nickname: The Korean Zombie
- Age: 36
- Birthday: 1987-03-17
- Height: 5’7″ (171cm)
- Reach: 72.0″ (183cm)
Chan Sung Jung, known as ‘Korean Zombie’ is probably one of the most well known korean mma fighter among mma lovers. Even though he never won world championship, he always able to enterain mma lovers in all his fight.
The Korean Zombie was born in Pohang where he got bullied almost all over his child hood. This bullied ended up led him to learn Hapkido at 14 years old to help him defense himself from the bully. Not long after that, he start learning kickboxing, judo and BJJ which makes him a feared fighter of all realm.
He has a very accurate punch, flexible body movement and dodge techniques which is very entertaining to watch. Unfortunately, He lost to Alexander Volkanovski last year in 2022.
Sum Up
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a really interesting combat sport where we can see each individuals impressive skills and techniques using their whole body. I love to see how korean mma fighter able to match the western fighter and help South Korea gain global recognition.
There are a lot more korean MMA fighter you can find, such as Ottogi Dae Hwan Kim, Soo Chul Kim, A Sol Kwon and ‘The Korean Pitbull’ Doo Won Seo. However, these are my top picks of the best korean MMA fighter who have an impressive striking and grappling techniques to win against their opponents!
Do you love MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)? Which Korean mma fighter you love the most? Let me know in the comment sections below!