Dong Hyun Kim says he is in contact with Real American Freestyle and has already approached Olympic gold medalist Ji Hyun Jung about potentially competing alongside him.
Dong Hyun Kim may not be finished competing after all.
And this time, he wouldn’t be stepping back inside the Octagon.
During a recent episode of Stungun TV, Kim revealed that he is currently in contact with Real American Freestyle (RAF) regarding a potential appearance for the wrestling promotion.
The revelation came during a conversation with Korean wrestling legend Kwon Ho Sim as the group watched and discussed RAF competition.
After explaining the promotion and discussing some of the UFC names competing under its wrestling rules, Kim casually revealed that his interest in RAF goes considerably further than simply being a fan.
He’s already talking to them.
“I’m Currently in Contact With RAF”
The conversation began while Kim and Sim were watching wrestling involving UFC veterans.
Kim explained how RAF has created an opportunity for MMA fighters and accomplished wrestlers to compete in a wrestling-focused format.
That led to discussion about how someone with Sim’s background might have enjoyed an opportunity like RAF had it existed during his competitive years.
Then Kim dropped the news.
“I haven’t told you this yet, but I’ll tell you once it’s decided. I’m currently in contact with RAF.”
Nothing has been finalized.
But Kim made clear that this isn’t simply an idea being thrown around for content.
Discussions are taking place.
And Kim apparently doesn’t want to make the trip alone.
Ji Hyun Jung Could Join Him
Kim revealed that he has already spoken with Ji Hyun Jung, one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Korean history, about potentially competing in RAF as well.
Jung captured Olympic gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2004 Athens Games.
According to Kim, Jung responded positively when approached about the possibility of competing.
Kim said that if everything comes together, he would like to take on the challenge alongside Jung.
That would give Korean combat sports fans an unusual pairing.
One is among the most successful Korean fighters in UFC history.
The other is an Olympic wrestling champion.
And Kim already appears to be thinking about how they would prepare.
Tyron Woodley Helping Make the Connection
Kim also revealed that Tyron Woodley is involved in helping establish contact.
Kim said communication is being pursued through Woodley while he continues working through other channels to explore the opportunity with RAF.
Woodley and Kim share their own UFC history.
The two met at UFC Fight Night in Macau in August 2014, where Woodley defeated Kim by first-round TKO.
More than a decade later, the former opponents could now find themselves connected through a very different combat-sports opportunity.
Kim also immediately began recruiting Sim.
Because RAF uses freestyle wrestling rules, Kim asked whether Sim—who has experience in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling—would help prepare Jung if the appearance becomes official.
Sim’s reaction?
He joked that Jung was about to have a lot of work ahead of him.
Kim wasn’t backing down.
“We have to do it.”
Could Ji Hyun Jung Adapt to RAF?
There would be an interesting technical challenge.
Jung’s Olympic success came in Greco-Roman wrestling, while RAF’s format requires a different approach.
Kim acknowledged that difference during the conversation.
But after grappling with Jung himself, Kim believes the Olympic champion’s instincts translate beyond any single wrestling ruleset.
Kim explained that when they have trained in grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu situations, Jung’s years at the highest level of wrestling allow him to instinctively recognize where his body should—and shouldn’t—be.
Sim agreed that Jung would likely learn quickly.
And there is another important factor.
He’s still training.
Later in the episode, Kim asked Sim directly how Jung might perform if he eventually stepped onto an RAF mat.
Sim responded that Jung continues to exercise and remains in excellent physical condition.
Is Dong Hyun Kim Really Coming Back?
That’s the question Korean MMA fans will inevitably ask.
Kim has not announced an official return.
He hasn’t signed for an RAF match, and no opponent or event was revealed during the episode.
In fact, Kim specifically acknowledged that nothing has been formally accepted yet.
That distinction matters.
But this is also more than Kim simply saying that competing again “would be fun.”
He says contact with RAF is already underway.
He has spoken to Ji Hyun Jung.
Jung is interested.
Tyron Woodley has been involved in making connections.
And Kim is already discussing potential preparation with Kwon Ho Sim.
For a fighter who hasn’t competed professionally since his UFC victory over Tarec Saffiedine in June 2017, even the possibility of seeing Kim return to a competitive setting would be significant.
It wouldn’t be MMA.
It wouldn’t be the UFC.
But it would put “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim back into competition against another elite combat athlete.
And nearly a decade after his last UFC appearance, that alone would make it one of the more intriguing Korean combat sports returns in recent memory.
For now, Kim isn’t making any promises.
But if the conversations he’s having with RAF lead somewhere, Korean fans could eventually see something few expected:
Dong Hyun Kim competing again with Olympic champion Ji Hyun Jung potentially joining him on the same stage.
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