From a gun-wielding faceoff to heated confrontations and a fighter shaving his head to make weight, the ZEUS FC weigh-ins delivered plenty of drama before the opening bell.
The atmosphere surrounding ZEUS FC’s upcoming event turned increasingly volatile as fighters gathered for the official weigh-ins, with several confrontations, failed weight cuts, and unusual promotional moments setting the stage for fight night.
While most competitors successfully made weight, the proceedings were anything but routine. One fighter brought out what he described as a gun during a faceoff, others exchanged physical shoves and heated threats, and a main-event contender resorted to shaving his head to shed the final grams needed to qualify for a championship bout.
With championship gold on the line and personal rivalries intensifying, the weigh-ins offered a glimpse of what could unfold inside the cage.
Dirty Sexy Brings a Gun to the Faceoff
One of the most controversial moments came during the welterweight matchup between Dirty Sexy (Ji Hoo Kwon) and Hynix (Yong Ju Lim).
During their faceoff, Dirty Sexy produced what appeared to be a gun, immediately drawing attention from those in attendance.
Asked afterward whether it was an airsoft gun or a firearm using gunpowder, Dirty Sexy claimed it was the latter. He also suggested he had considered firing several shots before deciding against it.
The video’s transcript does not independently establish whether the weapon was real or functional.
Beyond the unusual confrontation, Dirty Sexy appeared confident about his upcoming fight, dismissing Hynix’s abilities and suggesting that his opponent would need to show something different to challenge him.
Hynix, meanwhile, remained relatively relaxed despite the incident. Explaining his nickname as a reference to the semiconductor company SK Hynix, he joked about the declining KOSDAQ market before expressing confidence that both the stock and his fighting fortunes would improve.
Lim acknowledged that Kwon appeared physically larger than expected but believed the matchup could produce one of his most entertaining performances.
Weight-Cutting Problems Disrupt the Undercard
Not every fighter arrived at the weigh-ins in fighting condition.
Tae Hwan Kim, competing under the nickname Ppatta, failed to make weight for his scheduled matchup against Marco (In Hyuk Ahn).
Kim reported experiencing headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and chest pain after attempting to lose a substantial amount of weight in a short period.
He acknowledged that he should have prepared more carefully for his professional debut and apologized to his opponent.
Marco confirmed that the fight had been adjusted to a catchweight and appeared unconcerned by the change.
He promised an aggressive performance, outlining plans to use punches, elbows, knees, and ground-and-pound against his opponent.
Another undercard fighter, Ottugi (Min Joong Kim), also failed to make weight ahead of his matchup with Reaper.
Kim apologized for the mistake, explaining that it was his first time missing weight and expressing disappointment in himself.
Reaper was considerably less sympathetic, criticizing his opponent’s preparation and promising to punish him inside the cage.
The incidents highlighted the physical demands of weight cutting, particularly among younger fighters still developing their professional routines.
Steel and Specter Exchange Threats
The flyweight matchup between Steel and Specter (Sung Gwan Park) brought another layer of hostility.
Their rivalry had already included a kicking incident during an earlier promotional encounter, which Specter addressed during his post-weigh-in interview.
Park dismissed concerns about the kick and confidently predicted that he would demonstrate the difference in skill between the two fighters.
Steel, however, endured one of the event’s most difficult weight cuts.
He described struggling through extreme heat in a sauna after discovering that the hot water at his accommodation was not functioning properly. According to Steel, his condition deteriorated to the point that other people at the sauna considered calling emergency services.
Despite the ordeal, he successfully made weight.
Asked about his intentions for fight night, Steel delivered an aggressive warning, promising to tear his opponent apart.
The exchange added further intensity to a matchup already marked by personal animosity.
El Cucuy and Sacheon Captain Get Physical
The main-card confrontation between El Cucuy and Sacheon Captain escalated when the two fighters made physical contact during their faceoff.
Sacheon Captain explained that the shove was not planned, claiming he reacted after his opponent initiated contact with his head.
Both fighters appeared confident heading into their matchup.
Sacheon Captain promised to execute everything he had prepared with his coaches and teammates, while El Cucuy delivered a far more confrontational message, suggesting he intended to teach his opponent a lesson.
The brief physical exchange added another storyline to an event already filled with tension.
Pac-Man Returns Against White Snake
Another notable matchup features Pac-Man (Ho Cheol Jeon) against White Snake.
Jeon, representing Team MAD, appeared noticeably leaner following his weight cut but insisted that his condition was not a concern.
He suggested that although the preparation had been difficult, his opponent would have a much harder time once they entered the cage.
White Snake took a different approach to fight week.
He revealed that he had been comfortably under the weight limit, allowing himself to eat a family-sized container of ice cream and approximately ten pieces of sushi before the weigh-in.
Despite acknowledging Pac-Man’s experience advantage, White Snake expressed confidence in his ability to secure the victory.
Red Bear Promises a First-Round Knockout
The lightweight matchup between Red Bear (Yun Woo Kim) and Jangsan (Jung Han Lee) featured a contrast in personalities.
Jangsan, representing The Jiu-Jitsu Lab, appeared composed and said his early weight-management preparations had left him in excellent condition.
He also admitted finding Red Bear’s promotional trailer amusing, describing his younger opponent’s behavior as entertaining.
Red Bear responded with confidence, discussing his recovery plans after the weigh-in and promising to finish the fight by knockout in the first round.
With both fighters expressing confidence in their preparation, their matchup could provide one of the main card’s more explosive encounters.
Super Sonic and Khan Prepare for the Co-Main Event
ZEUS FC flyweight champion Super Sonic entered the weigh-ins looking to reinforce his status atop the division.
After successfully making weight, the champion stated that he intended to demonstrate exactly why he holds the title.
His opponent, Khan, also expressed confidence in his preparation but used his interview to criticize other fighters who had made provocative statements during the event.
Khan accused certain competitors of acting aggressively during interviews while appearing intimidated during face-to-face encounters.
Although his own matchup remained the priority, his comments reflected the increasingly confrontational atmosphere surrounding the card.
Dark Knight Shaves His Head to Make Championship Weight
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the weigh-ins came ahead of the main event, where Dark Knight (Young Han Kim) and Joker (Do Han Jung) were scheduled to compete for ZEUS FC’s inaugural strawweight championship.
Kim faced an unexpected problem during the final stages of his weight cut.
Despite his efforts, he remained approximately 20 grams over the required limit.
Rather than risk missing weight, Dark Knight made the unusual decision to shave his head.
The drastic measure worked, allowing him to register an official weight of 52.16 kilograms and successfully qualify for the championship bout.
Kim later explained that the title opportunity meant so much to him that he was willing to sacrifice his appearance to make weight.
He described the preparation as emotionally and physically exhausting, admitting that he had cried during the process.
For Kim, the shaved head became a symbol of his determination to win the championship.
Joker, meanwhile, appeared focused on the opportunity to capture his first MMA title.
Although acknowledging the pressure of competing in a championship bout, he expressed confidence in his preparation and hoped both fighters would enter the cage in the best possible condition.
The matchup now carries additional significance following Dark Knight’s dramatic final effort to make weight.
A Chaotic Prelude to Fight Night
The ZEUS FC weigh-ins delivered far more than the usual ceremonial faceoffs.
Between Dirty Sexy’s gun-related stunt, physical confrontations, failed weight cuts, and Dark Knight’s last-minute haircut, the event produced several moments likely to remain part of the conversation heading into fight night.
But beyond the spectacle, the weigh-ins also exposed the pressures facing fighters before they ever step into the cage.
For some, the challenge was making weight. For others, it was managing emotions, defending reputations, or maintaining composure against increasingly hostile opponents.
With the promotional exchanges complete, the fighters now have an opportunity to settle their differences where it matters most.
The next chapter will be written inside the cage at ZEUS FC 17.
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