The MMA veteran Choo Sung Hoon is mourning the loss of two people close to him within a month as he prepares for his retirement fight at BLACK COMBAT 17 on November 21.
Mixed martial arts veteran Choo Sung Hoon has announced that he will temporarily suspend all social media activities following the death of someone he deeply loved and respected. The heartbreaking announcement comes just one month after Choo revealed the passing of his uncle, adding another personal loss as he prepares for the final fight of his professional MMA career.
On October 11, Choo shared an emotional message on social media revealing that someone close to him had died by suicide at just over 40 years old.
“Someone I loved and respected very deeply has taken their own life,” Choo wrote. “They were still only in their 40s, far too young.”
The 51-year-old fighter expressed his grief and disbelief, acknowledging that only the deceased could truly understand the struggles they had been facing.
“Only they could know what kind of pain they were going through or what happened. Still, I wish they could have held on just a little longer,” he continued. “I still cannot believe it, and my heart aches so much. I wish I could see them just one more time.”
Choo concluded his message by offering his deepest condolences and announcing that he would be stepping away from social media for the foreseeable future.
“I offer my deepest and most sincere condolences and pray that they may rest in peace. I will be suspending all social media activities for the time being.”
The identity of the deceased individual and their exact relationship with Choo have not been publicly disclosed.
A Difficult Month for Choo Sung Hoon
The announcement follows another painful loss for the Korean-Japanese MMA veteran.
On September 12, Choo revealed that his uncle, who had played an important role in his upbringing, had passed away.
Choo recalled how his uncle had supported him since childhood, particularly during periods when his family struggled financially. His uncle remained a source of encouragement throughout Choo’s early years as a competitive judoka, helping him navigate the challenges of pursuing an athletic career.
Reflecting on their relationship, Choo expressed regret that he had not been able to repay the kindness and support he received.
“Now it was supposed to be my turn to help my uncle and repay the love he gave me, but I couldn’t. I’m truly sorry,” Choo shared.
The loss also brought back memories of his father, Choo Gye I, who passed away in April 2023 after suffering a heart attack while playing golf.
In his tribute to his uncle, Choo expressed hope that the two could reunite and enjoy playing golf together in heaven.
With two personal losses occurring within approximately one month, Choo’s latest announcement has drawn messages of sympathy and support from fans.
Retirement Fight at BLACK COMBAT 17 Still Scheduled
The emotional developments come at a significant moment in Choo Sung Hoon’s fighting career.
Choo is scheduled to make his final professional MMA appearance at BLACK COMBAT 17 on November 21, 2026, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.
The event is expected to mark the conclusion of a combat sports career that has spanned decades, beginning with his accomplishments in judo before transitioning into mixed martial arts.
Choo previously announced that he would temporarily step away from his YouTube activities to dedicate more time to preparing for the retirement bout.
At the time, he explained that his decision was motivated by a desire to give his full attention to training.
“I’ll focus on preparing for my upcoming fight and return in better shape to show everyone a stronger, more impressive version of myself,” Choo said.
However, Korean media reports have clarified that his previously announced YouTube hiatus and his latest decision to suspend social media activities are separate matters.
While his YouTube break was intended to allow him to concentrate on fight preparation, his social media hiatus follows the recent personal tragedy.
There has been no announcement indicating that his retirement fight has been canceled or postponed.
One Final Chapter
For Choo Sung Hoon, BLACK COMBAT 17 represents an opportunity to close a remarkable chapter in his life as a professional fighter.
Known internationally as Yoshihiro Akiyama, Choo built his reputation through a successful judo career before becoming one of Asia’s most recognizable mixed martial artists, competing in organizations including HERO’S, DREAM, the UFC, and ONE Championship.
His upcoming retirement appearance was already expected to be an emotional occasion for longtime fans. The recent losses now add a deeply personal dimension to the final weeks leading up to the event.
As Choo takes time away from social media, supporters continue to offer their condolences and encouragement.
For now, his retirement fight remains scheduled for November 21, with fans hoping to see the veteran return to the cage for one final performance.
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