The teenage prospect, Chan Hee Yoon, reflects on his first professional win, calls for tougher competition, and sets his sights on becoming one of ROAD FC’s youngest champions.
Winning his professional debut wasn’t enough for Chan Hee Yoon.
The teenage standout, widely known in Korean MMA circles as the “Middle School Jjang” after dominating the nation’s youth amateur scene, recently sat down with former ROAD FC lightweight champion A Sol Kwon to discuss his first appearance as a professional fighter.
Despite earning a unanimous decision victory at ROAD FC 077, Yoon admitted he walked away from the event feeling disappointed rather than satisfied.
“It still doesn’t feel real that I won,” Yoon said. “There were a lot of things about my performance that I wasn’t happy with.”
A Victory That Left Him Wanting More
Before turning professional, Yoon built a reputation as one of Korea’s most promising teenage prospects through the Black & White Fighter tournament and his success on the amateur circuit.
Many expected the talented grappler to finish his opponent in his professional debut, but the fight instead went the distance.
Looking back, Yoon believes he became too focused on hunting for submissions once he secured dominant positions.
“I was in too much of a hurry to finish,” he said. “Instead of only looking for the neck, I should have mixed in more ground-and-pound and improved my position.”
A Sol Kwon echoed that assessment, noting that Yoon appeared more rushed than usual during several key exchanges.
No Nerves—Just Missed Opportunities
While many young fighters struggle with the pressure of their first professional bout, Yoon insists nerves weren’t a factor.
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” he said.
Instead, he believes he simply failed to execute the game plan he had prepared in training.
“It just didn’t come together the way I expected once I was inside the cage.”
A Move to Bantamweight
At just 15 years old, Chan Hee Yoon is still growing physically, and he believes his future lies at bantamweight rather than flyweight.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to make flyweight anymore,” he admitted. “I’ll probably move up to bantamweight.”
That move could make a long-discussed matchup with fellow teenage prospect Jun Ho Lee more difficult, as both fighters continue to develop in different weight classes.
Still, Yoon made it clear he hasn’t lost interest in the rivalry.
“If he wants it, let’s fight at 60 kilograms.”
Confident About the Competition
The interview quickly turned into a series of potential matchups.
Yoon named Duk Young Hwang as one of the opponents he’d like to face, while also saying he would confidently accept a fight against Sardor Abdusattorov if given the opportunity.
Asked about other rising bantamweights, including Ji Yong Yang and Hyun Woo Kim, Yoon didn’t hesitate.
“They’re good fighters,” he said with a smile. “But they’re stepping stones for me.”
The comments were delivered with confidence and plenty of laughter, but they reflected the belief Yoon has in his own potential.
Eyes on a Championship
Yoon isn’t thinking years down the road.
His goal is to become a ROAD FC champion as quickly as possible.
He believes another year of focused training could put him in position to compete for the title, and he hopes to become champion while still in high school.
Beyond ROAD FC, he also hopes to represent South Korea at the Asian Games and eventually compete for a gold medal.
Adding Striking to His Wrestling
One of the biggest strengths in Yoon’s game has been his wrestling.
His father competed in wrestling, and Yoon credits that background for helping develop his takedown game from a young age.
Kwon praised Yoon’s ability to bring opponents to the ground in unconventional ways, noting that his entries don’t always resemble traditional wrestling but consistently produce results.
Yoon believes his next step is becoming a more complete mixed martial artist.
“I’ve been working a lot on my striking,” he said. “Next time, I want to win by knockout.”
Grateful for the Support Around Him
Toward the end of the interview, Yoon thanked the coaches, sponsors, and supporters who have helped him reach the professional stage at such a young age.
He also had a brief message for his parents.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll become champion.”
Then, smiling at the camera, he added:
“I love you, Mom and Dad.”
One Goal: Keep Fans in Their Seats
Perhaps Yoon’s most memorable comment came when he described the type of fighter he wants to become.
“I want to be the kind of fighter where nobody leaves to go to the bathroom during my fights.”
When A Sol Kwon asked what he meant, Yoon laughed before explaining.
“I want every fight to be exciting. I want fans to stay in their seats because they don’t want to miss anything.”
It’s an ambitious promise from a fighter who admits his professional debut wasn’t his best performance.
But if Chan Hee Yoon’s first interview as a professional revealed anything, it’s that the teenager known as Korea’s “Middle School Jjang” is setting expectations even higher for himself than anyone else already has.
Follow HanPunch for the latest Korean MMA news, exclusive fighter interviews, event coverage, and the stories shaping combat sports across Asia.
About The Author
Join the Conversation