The Korean Superboy will face No. 15-ranked Patrício Pitbull at UFC 331 in Los Angeles with a UFC ranking on the line.
After months of speculation, Doo Ho Choi has officially announced his next fight.
Speaking directly to fans on his YouTube channel, the “Korean Superboy” revealed that he will face No. 15-ranked featherweight Patrício “Pitbull” Freire at UFC 331, which takes place on September 19 in Los Angeles.
For Choi, the matchup represents far more than another appearance inside the Octagon—it could mark his long-awaited return to the UFC featherweight rankings.
A Chance 10 Years in the Making
Doo Ho Choi explained that defeating Pitbull would earn him a spot in the UFC’s Top 15, completing a comeback that has taken nearly a decade.
The Korean star was last ranked in 2016, when he climbed as high as No. 11 before injuries and a lengthy absence derailed one of the sport’s brightest careers.
Now, after rebuilding momentum over the past year, Choi believes he’s one win away from returning to where he once belonged.
“I was ranked No. 11 in 2016. After a long period away, I finally have the opportunity to become ranked again 10 years later.”
For a fighter whose career has been defined by perseverance, the opportunity carries enormous significance.
The UFC Wanted Choi in Los Angeles
Doo Ho Choi also offered a rare look behind the scenes at how the fight came together.
According to the 34-year-old, UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell specifically wanted him on the Los Angeles card and attempted to secure multiple ranked opponents before the promotion ultimately finalized the bout with Pitbull.
The UFC’s first target was No. 14-ranked David Onama, but Choi said Onama was forced to decline because of an injury.
The promotion then explored a matchup with No. 12-ranked Steve Garcia, but Garcia was also unavailable after recently competing and dealing with lingering injuries.
With those options off the table, the UFC proposed former Bellator champion Patrício Pitbull.
Choi immediately accepted.
“When they asked me about Pitbull, I said yes. This time he accepted as well, and we’ve already signed the contract.”
A Former Champion Awaits
While many UFC fans know Pitbull from his recent arrival in the promotion, Choi made it clear he understands exactly who he’ll be facing.
He described the Brazilian as one of Bellator’s greatest champions, highlighting his accomplishments as both the Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion.
Pitbull entered the UFC as Bellator’s reigning featherweight champion and has since shared the cage with elite competition, including Yair Rodriguez, Dan Ige, and Aaron Pico.
Most recently, Pitbull earned his UFC ranking by defeating Dan Ige, setting up the high-stakes clash with Choi.
A Short Camp, But No Excuses
The fight will take place just four months after Choi’s last appearance in May, giving him a relatively quick turnaround.
Although he acknowledged there isn’t a great deal of time to build an opponent-specific game plan, Choi said both fighters are preparing under similar circumstances and believes the timeline is more than manageable.
Rather than focusing on the shortened camp, Choi is embracing the opportunity.
Fighting Like It’s His Last
As he closed his announcement, Doo Ho Choi delivered a message that reflected the urgency surrounding this next chapter of his career.
“I’ll prepare as if this is my last fight. I’ll do my best to put on a great performance. Thank you, as always, for supporting me.”
Those words capture the mindset of a fighter who understands exactly what’s at stake.
A victory over Pitbull wouldn’t just extend Choi’s resurgence—it would return one of Korea’s most beloved fighters to the UFC rankings for the first time since 2016.
After years of injuries, setbacks, and unanswered questions, the Korean Superboy now has one opportunity to remind the featherweight division exactly who he is.
The Bigger Picture
For Korean MMA fans, this is arguably Doo Ho Choi’s biggest fight since his return to active competition. Beating a decorated former Bellator champion and current UFC Top 15 featherweight would immediately reestablish Choi as a legitimate contender and complete one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Korean MMA.
Full announcement available, courtesy of Korean Superboy Youtube Channel.
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