After flattening Felipe Pereira in one of Black Combat’s most widely shared knockouts of 2026, “Red Hawk” now turns toward an entirely different challenge.
The viral knockout that introduced “Red Hawk” to a wider audience is now behind him. On August 29, Hyuk Min Ji faces a dangerous new test against Dagestani wrestler Ismail Kelemetov at Black Combat.
Korean MMA prospect Hyuk Min Ji delivered the final word in May when he flattened Brazil’s Felipe Pereira after a week of relentless pre-fight trash talk. The knockout spread quickly across social media, transforming “Red Hawk” from a rising domestic prospect into one of Black Combat’s most discussed young fighters.
Now Ji must prove that the viral finish was the beginning of something bigger.
At Black Combat’s latest media day, Ji turned his attention toward Ismail Kelemetov, the Dagestani featherweight known as “Brown Bear.” Their fight is scheduled for August 29 at Bucheon Gymnasium, and the confrontation made clear that Ji is approaching the matchup with the same confidence he carried into the Pereira fight.
This time, however, the challenge is very different.
From a Viral Knockout to a Dagestani Wrestling Test
Pereira attempted to control the buildup to his fight with Ji through insults and intimidation. Once the cage door closed, Ji answered with a knockout that left the Brazilian motionless on the canvas and abruptly ended the conversation.
Kelemetov represents a more complicated assignment. The Dagestani enters the matchup with an 11–1 record and a reputation built around physical pressure, takedowns and wrestling. Ji, listed at 7–1 during the media-day presentation, specifically asked Black Combat for the fight after watching Kelemetov compete against O Chan Son.
Ji was not impressed by what he saw.
He described Kelemetov as overrated and promised that the fighter receiving so much attention would be the one lying on the canvas on August 29. Kelemetov responded by pointing to an earlier grappling mini-game in which he had controlled Ji and used him to “clean the floor.”
Ji dismissed that exchange as meaningless preparation rather than a genuine measure of his ability. He said he had not approached the mini-game as a serious jiu-jitsu contest and warned that an actual MMA fight would look very different.
Media Day Turns Personal
The verbal exchange quickly escalated. Ji called for Black Combat’s tire—a prop used in the promotion’s physical media-day challenges—and accused Kelemetov of depending entirely on wrestling. He proposed that they stand and trade strikes when they meet, while Kelemetov questioned how Ji intended to stop his takedowns.
Ji also suggested they settle part of the dispute immediately. Kelemetov said he was unable to participate in another physical challenge that day because of circumstances he could not discuss, but insisted he was not refusing the confrontation.
The tension eventually spilled beyond words. A slap and a takedown onto the uncovered floor brought the surrounding noise to an abrupt stop and gave their August 29 fight an even sharper edge.
Then Felipe Pereira entered the conversation.
Pereira interrupted the exchange with another insult directed at Ji.
“Do you want me to put you to sleep again?”
Ji immediately answered by asking whether the Brazilian wanted to be put to sleep again, a direct reminder of the knockout that had already settled their rivalry inside the cage.
Pereira claimed that he had been receiving medical treatment and was affected by medication when they fought. Ji showed little interest in the explanation. No matter how Pereira attempted to revisit the circumstances, the lasting image remained the same: Ji standing over him after delivering one of Black Combat’s most widely circulated finishes of 2026.
More Than One Viral Moment
The Pereira knockout demonstrated Ji’s timing, composure and finishing ability under emotional pressure. The Kelemetov fight will test a different part of his game.
Ji may want a striking battle, but Kelemetov has openly signaled his intention to wrestle. That places the focus on Ji’s takedown defense, his ability to create space and whether he can maintain the range needed to use the power that made him go viral.
For Kelemetov, defeating Ji would validate the attention surrounding another physically imposing Dagestani prospect. For Ji, the stakes extend beyond protecting a 7–1 record. A victory would show that “Red Hawk” is not simply the fighter behind a memorable knockout clip, but a genuine contender capable of beating opponents with contrasting styles.
Ji silenced Felipe Pereira with one decisive punch. Against Brown Bear, he will have to make an entirely different statement.
Follow HanPunch for the latest Korean MMA news, exclusive fighter interviews, event coverage, and the stories shaping combat sports across Asia.
About The Author
Join the Conversation