Former UFC welterweight contender Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim has quietly been inching back toward the fight world and now we know just how close he came to stepping into the spotlight again.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel StunGun TV, Kim revealed that he was offered a fight with Mike Perry at 170 lbs for the Gina Carano vs. Ronda Rousey Netflix card, promoted by MVP (Most Valuable Promotions) which was recently held on May 16, 2026. According to Kim, the offer came roughly a month ago during a phone interview with MVP founder Nakisa Bidarian.
Kim’s response was classic Stun Gun:
“I never pick my opponents. I am perfectly fine with whoever you want.”
That confidence, that willingness to fight anyone, is exactly what made Kim a fan favorite during his UFC run. And in the video, you can see the spark return. He starts talking strategy, visualizing the matchup, and even training with the excitement of a man who feels the cage calling him back.
But then the twist hits.
The Moment Everything Changed
In the video, Kim is seen talking with his producer when he learns that Mike Perry had already been scheduled to fight Nate Diaz. The matchup was locked in. The opportunity was gone.
Kim admits he was disappointed, and you can see it on his face, but he immediately pivots, saying the Perry vs. Diaz fight is “a great matchup” and that he’s genuinely excited to watch it unfold.
Still, the emotional whiplash is real. Kim explains that MVP asked him to wait one more day for confirmation. After that final back‑and‑forth, he was told the fight would not move forward.
And that’s when something unexpected happened.
The Spark Returns
Kim says the offer, even though it slipped away, reignited something inside him. It reminded him of the adrenaline, the preparation, the anticipation he felt during his UFC career.
He even imagined the scene: South Korean flags waving inside the LA arena, fans cheering as he walked out on a historic Netflix card. That vision alone made his heartbeat rise.
Kim told MVP that he wants to fight before the end of 2027, and the excitement from this near‑matchup has only strengthened that desire.
“This made my heart beat again,” Kim says in the video. “I want to compete. I want to feel this again.”
For fans who have missed him, this is the clearest sign yet: Dong Hyun Kim is seriously considering a return.
Who Should Dong Hyun Kim Fight Next?
If Kim steps back into the fight world, several compelling matchups stand out — some realistic, some dream‑worthy, all fan‑friendly.
1. Mike Perry
Perry just defeated Nate Diaz, and MVP is clearly invested in him. A Kim vs. Perry fight on a future Netflix card would be violent, chaotic, and guaranteed to draw attention. This is the matchup that almost happened and the one fans would rally behind.
2. Gunnar Nelson
A fight that was supposed to happen years ago. Nelson is still active, still dangerous, and still stylistically fascinating. The challenge: Nelson remains under UFC contract, making this harder to book. But if it ever became possible, it would be a technical chess match between two veterans with elite grappling pedigrees.
3. Colby Covington (Rematch)
Their 2017 fight ended in a decision loss for Kim a fight many fans felt was closer than the scorecards suggested. A rematch would be a massive storyline: Can the Stun Gun shut down Colby’s pressure and prove he still has elite-level skills?
This one is unlikely outside the UFC, but as a narrative? It’s electric.
What’s Next for the Stun Gun?
Kim’s video makes one thing clear: He’s not done. Not mentally. Not physically. Not emotionally.
The near‑miss with Mike Perry didn’t discourage him, it lit a fire.
He’s training. He’s motivated. He’s imagining the walkout again.
And he’s waiting for the right offer the one that makes his heart race the way this one did.
For fans of Korean MMA, this is the comeback storyline to watch. What do you guys think?
Full video courtesy of Stungun TV:
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God Colby Covington would be a great matchup