Chan Sung Jung (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

After coming up short in his fight with Brian Ortega, Chan Sung Jung is hoping to secure a bout with Zabit Magomedsharipov.

Jung had his two-fight winning streak ended by Ortega in October, as the latter outscored him for the decision win. Heading into the bout, UFC President Dana White had said the winner would advance to a fight with featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski.

The South Korean fighter recently spoke with MMA Junkie, and he reported that leading up to the Ortega fight he incurred a tear in his collateral ligament. Jung (16-6) believes he’ll be ready to fight again in March or April, and while discussing who he wants to fight, he said this.

“I want Zabit (Magomedsharipov),” Jung said through a translateor. “That’s the fight that’s going to get me closest to a title shot. More than that, I want to once again try to prove myself against one of the hottest fighters in the division and prove that I’m still capable of competing at the highest level. Of course, I would understand if he doesn’t want to fight me.”

“This is a fight that would bring the fans to their feet. (He) and I are both entertainers and extremely competitive, so I think he’d like to step in the octagon with me. A win for both of us would mean a lot for our careers, and it would be an amazing match. The ball is in Zabit’s court; I want this fight to kick off 2021.”

Magomedsharipov (18-1) hasn’t fought since November, 2019, when he recorded a decision win over Calvin Kattar. The Russian fighter is currently ranked #3 in the UFC’s featherweight division and Jung is #5.