“Red Hawk” entered as the underdog against Dagestan’s “Brown Bear.” Three minutes and 38 seconds later, he had secured his sixth consecutive finish—and a major promise from Black Combat.
Hyuk Min Ji was supposed to face the most difficult test of his career against Ismail Kelemetov.
Instead, “Red Hawk” needed less than one round to deliver another statement.
Ji defeated Kelemetov by TKO at 3:38 of the opening round in their BnD Black Cup semifinal on August 29 at Bucheon Gymnasium. The victory improved the Korean prospect’s professional record to 8–1 and extended his finishing streak to six consecutive fights.
All eight of Ji’s professional victories have now come by KO or TKO.
The Underdog Did Not Fight Like One
Ji entered the matchup as the underdog against an opponent carrying the familiar reputation of a dangerous Dagestani wrestler.
Kelemetov, known as “Brown Bear,” brought an 11–1 record, physical strength and a pressure-heavy grappling style into the semifinal. During the buildup, much of the conversation centered on whether Ji could remain standing long enough to use the punching power that made him one of Black Combat’s fastest-rising attractions.
Ji had already made his opinion clear. He believed Kelemetov was overrated.
On August 29, he backed it up.
Ji found his opportunity in the opening round and overwhelmed Kelemetov with punches, forcing the stoppage at 3:38. The wrestling test that was expected to expose the most vulnerable part of Ji’s game instead became another addition to his growing knockout reel.
The result carried more significance than an ordinary tournament victory. Kelemetov represented the type of opponent Ji needed to defeat if he wanted to move beyond the label of viral knockout artist and establish himself as a genuine contender.
Ji did exactly that—and once again, he left no need for the judges.
From Felipe Pereira to “Brown Bear”
Only a few months earlier, Ji introduced himself to a much wider audience by flattening Felipe Pereira following an emotionally charged buildup filled with insults and intimidation.
That knockout quickly spread across social media. It gave Ji his biggest moment inside Black Combat, but it also created a new question: Was the Pereira finish a single viral highlight, or the beginning of something larger?
Kelemetov was supposed to provide the answer.
Unlike Pereira, “Brown Bear” presented a matchup built around wrestling, takedowns and physical pressure. Ji specifically requested the fight after watching Kelemetov compete against O Chan Son, insisting that the attention surrounding the Dagestani was greater than what his performances justified.
Their media-day confrontation only intensified the rivalry. The two exchanged insults, argued over an earlier grappling challenge and eventually became involved in a physical altercation that included a slap and a takedown onto an uncovered floor.
Kelemetov reminded Ji that he had controlled him during the grappling mini-game. Ji dismissed the encounter as meaningless and warned that a real MMA fight would produce a very different result.
He was right.
When the two finally met under professional rules, Ji did not simply survive Kelemetov’s pressure. He stopped him with punches in the first round.
Six Straight Fights, Six Straight Finishes
Ji’s record now stands at 8–1, but the more striking number may be eight.
Every one of his professional victories has ended by knockout or TKO.
That perfect finishing rate has turned Ji into one of Black Combat’s most reliable action fighters. He is not narrowly collecting decisions while slowly moving through the rankings. He is ending fights, generating highlights and giving the promotion exactly the kind of moments that audiences remember.
His six consecutive finishes have also made it increasingly difficult to treat him as merely a developing prospect.
Following the victory, Black Combat CEO Park Pyeong Hwa—better known as “Geomjeong”—publicly acknowledged Ji’s star power and future potential.
“Let’s make history together with Black Combat.”
Park then made a promise that may be just as important as the next opponent placed in front of Ji.
“As promised, I’ll make sure you receive championship-level fight pay.”
The statement represented a clear change in Ji’s position within the promotion. Black Combat is no longer only giving “Red Hawk” opportunities to prove himself. Its CEO is openly presenting him as a fighter worthy of championship-level investment.
Ji has earned that confidence by producing results that are difficult to ignore.
Gocheok Sky Dome Is Next
Ji will not have to wait long for his next appearance.
“Red Hawk” is already scheduled to compete at Black Combat 17 on November 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome. His opponent has not yet been announced, but Park immediately challenged him to deliver an even bigger moment on one of the promotion’s most important stages.
“Show us an even more impressive performance on November 21.”
That will not be an easy request after consecutive first-round stoppages of Pereira and Kelemetov.
But Ji has quickly established a pattern. The opponent changes, the matchup changes and the pressure increases—but the fight continues to end with “Red Hawk” standing over another finish.
Against Pereira, Ji proved he could remain composed through a hostile buildup and punish an opponent who underestimated him.
Against Kelemetov, he proved his power could carry over against a heavily favored wrestler with an 11–1 record.
The fighter who entered the BnD Black Cup semifinal as an underdog left with his sixth consecutive finish, an 8–1 record and a promise of championship-level pay.
No opponent has been announced for November 21. Whoever receives the assignment will not be facing a fighter trying to escape the shadow of one viral knockout.
They will be facing one of Black Combat’s newest stars.
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Super exciting fighter!