Renato Moicano and The Korean Zombie will look to get back in the win-column and move one step closer to the top of the featherweight division at UFC Greenville.
The UFC featherweight division is currently enjoying one of its best periods as several contenders are in line to challenge a dominant champion in Max Holloway. While the title picture is set, those ranked outside the top three are currently jockeying for position. Two of them will be in action Saturday as Renato Moicano returns to face fan favorite “The Korean Zombie” at UFC Greenville in South Carolina.
Can finish you on your feet or on the ground… sometimes both!@MoicanoUFC #UFCGreenville pic.twitter.com/xgSbiggLTw
— UFC (@ufc) June 20, 2019
Renato Moicano has admitted that the stage got to him against José Aldo back in February. Facing his idol, and a legend in their native country, Moicano came up short that night in Fortaleza. But the opportunity did provide him a chance to show where his skills stand against a fighter on the elite level. His victories over Calvin Kattar and Cub Swanson further secured his place in the top ten, and Aldo joins only Brian Ortega as fighters who have managed to best Moicano in his sixteen fights.
On the opposing side, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung was a second away from victory when Yair Rodriguez stopped him at the final bell of their five round battle back in November. The elbow Rodriguez used was the consensus Knockout of the Year and set back Jung as he looked to make his way to a title shot. The featherweight division is currently loaded, with Frankie Edgar already scheduled to face Max Holloway for the title and Alexander Volkanovski waiting in the wings. However, Jung’s popularity could expedite his path to the title should he manage to stop Moicano in stunning fashion.
Always coming with a vengeance!
🇰🇷 @KoreanZombieMMA #UFCGreenville pic.twitter.com/LUkU1UmOZL
— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2019
The fight figures to be a crowd pleaser as the two are known for exciting performances. The key for The Korean Zombie is to push forward with smothering pressure. Moicano does his best work in the center of the cage so Jung will want to give him as little space as possible. For Moicano, the key is to counter the Zombie and circle out of the way as he continues his assault. Jung is incredibly durable and most opponents struggle to slow him down. An effective offense for Moicano is to focus on landing his shots sporadically and force Jung to chase him throughout the fight.
The winner of the fight sets themselves up for a marquee bout later in 2019. With the fighters ahead of them already locked into high profile bouts, Jung and Moicano figure to face an outlier of the top four later in 2019.
