Undefeated against Japanese opponents, the 19-year-old Korean featherweight prospect believes he has what it takes to stop Shin Haraguchi and move one step closer to a ROAD FC championship opportunity.
At just 19 years old, Eun Seok Choi is preparing for the biggest challenge of his professional MMA career. On November 1, the rising South Korean prospect will face Japanese standout Shin Haraguchi at ROAD FC 079, hoping to become the fighter who finally puts an end to Haraguchi’s reputation as the “Korean Killer.”
Haraguchi has established himself as one of the most formidable competitors in the featherweight division, earning his nickname through a series of victories over Korean opposition. His relentless wrestling, explosive takedowns, and exceptional conditioning have made him a difficult challenge for fighters across the region.
However, Choi enters the matchup with confidence and a notable record of his own: two victories in two appearances against Japanese opponents.
Speaking in a recent interview published on A Sol Kwon’s YouTube channel, Choi discussed his preparation for Haraguchi, the opportunity to prove himself against an established veteran, and his ambitions of eventually capturing the ROAD FC featherweight championship.
A New Opportunity After the Asian Games
For Eun Seok Choi, the opportunity to face Haraguchi arrived at a particularly important moment.
Following his participation in the Asian Games, the young prospect admitted that he had struggled with motivation. Despite spending three months preparing for the competition, he felt he had only been able to showcase a small portion of his abilities.
When the offer to face Haraguchi arrived, Choi immediately recognized its significance.
“The moment I received the offer, I thought it was an opportunity,” Choi explained. “I had spent three months preparing for the Asian Games, but I felt like I only got to show about a minute of what I could do.”
Rather than viewing Haraguchi’s reputation as a reason for concern, Choi saw the matchup as a chance to demonstrate the skills he had been developing.
“I believe he’s an opponent I can compete with,” Choi said. “People may have doubts about me, but I want to answer those doubts with my performance.”
Preparing for Haraguchi’s Relentless Wrestling
Shin Haraguchi’s wrestling has been the defining weapon behind much of his success.
The Japanese standout is known for his explosive takedowns from a southpaw stance, combining aggressive entries with the endurance to maintain pressure throughout an entire fight.
Choi acknowledged that Haraguchi’s wrestling, conditioning, and veteran experience present significant challenges.
To prepare, the Korean prospect has incorporated extensive wrestling sessions into his training camp, working with collegiate wrestlers whose techniques and positioning resemble those of his upcoming opponent.
His preparation has included sessions at Wonkwang University, additional sparring at multiple gyms, and continued physical conditioning.
Choi also believes his experience preparing for the Asian Games could prove valuable. During that training period, he focused heavily on defending takedowns against powerful Central Asian wrestlers.
Rather than attempting to avoid Haraguchi’s wrestling entirely, Choi intends to test his abilities against it.
“I think it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid his takedowns,” Choi explained. “I want to see how my defense, counters, and conditioning match up against him.”
For Choi, the fight represents an opportunity to measure his development against an opponent who has repeatedly imposed his wrestling on Korean competitors.
The ‘Korean Killer’ Meets an Undefeated Rival
While Haraguchi has earned recognition for his success against Korean fighters, Choi has developed an interesting record of his own.
The 19-year-old revealed that he has faced Japanese opponents twice and emerged victorious on both occasions.
His previous appearances include a matchup against Takeshi Nakano during a Korea-versus-Japan competition and another Japanese opponent whom he defeated with a left-hand counter knockout.
Now, Choi hopes to extend that record to three consecutive victories.
“Haraguchi is called the Korean Killer, but I’ve fought Japanese fighters twice and won both times,” Choi said.
“If I beat Haraguchi, I’ll make it three wins against Japanese fighters and take the title of Japanese Killer for myself.”
The statement adds another layer of intrigue to a matchup already carrying significant implications for the featherweight division.
Haraguchi will look to maintain his reputation against Korean opposition, while Choi hopes to establish himself as the fighter capable of ending that run.
From Fighter 100 to the ROAD FC Spotlight
Despite his young age, Choi has already accumulated considerable experience across amateur and professional competition.
His development includes appearances in international competitions, the Asian Games, and Fighter 100, where he began building his reputation as an emerging prospect.
With six professional appearances and a three-fight winning streak, Choi has steadily progressed toward increasingly prominent opportunities.
His upcoming matchup against Haraguchi will take place on the second portion of the ROAD FC 079 card, marking another significant step in his career.
During the interview, Choi recalled watching Haraguchi compete against Yryskeldi Duysheev in a ROAD FC main event approximately one year earlier.
At the time, he recognized the level of competition he would eventually need to reach.
“I remember watching that fight and thinking how good they were,” Choi recalled. “I thought Haraguchi was someone I would eventually have to fight when I reached that level.”
Now, less than a year after watching from the audience, Choi is preparing to face Haraguchi himself.
The young prospect admitted that the opportunity brings both excitement and nerves, but he remains confident in his preparation.
A Featherweight Championship in His Sights
Although defeating Haraguchi remains his immediate priority, Eun Seok Choi has already identified his ultimate goal: the ROAD FC featherweight championship.
The Korean prospect expressed his desire to challenge champion Yryskeldi Duysheev, whom he had previously hoped to face during the Asian Games.
With the two competitors positioned on opposite sides of the tournament bracket, that matchup never materialized.
Choi now hopes to create another opportunity through his professional MMA career.
“I’m absolutely thinking about the featherweight title,” Choi said. “After I beat Haraguchi, I want to face Yryskeldi Duysheev and settle what I couldn’t at the Asian Games.”
A victory over Haraguchi would represent the most significant result of Choi’s professional career and strengthen his case for a future championship opportunity.
However, overcoming Haraguchi’s experience and relentless wrestling will be no easy task.
A Chance to Change the Narrative
As ROAD FC 079 approaches, Choi finds himself in a position that few fighters his age experience.
At just 19, he has an opportunity to defeat one of the division’s most established competitors, extend his undefeated record against Japanese opposition, and move closer to a potential featherweight title opportunity.
For Haraguchi, the matchup represents another opportunity to reinforce the reputation he has built through his success against Korean fighters.
For Choi, it is a chance to change that narrative entirely.
The young Korean prospect closed his interview with a confident promise.
“On November 1 at ROAD FC 079, I’ll defeat Shin Haraguchi and become the new king of ROAD FC’s featherweight division.”
Whether Choi can deliver on that promise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fighter known as the “Korean Killer” will face a young challenger determined to turn the tables.
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