Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno visited Korea with his wife before the start of training camp but ended up surviving an intense session at Chan Sung Jung’s Zombie Gym.
Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno thought he was coming to South Korea for a relaxing vacation before beginning his next training camp.
Instead, The Korean Zombie had something else in mind.
During a visit to Zombie Gym, Moreno was welcomed by Chan Sung Jung and immediately thrown into one of the gym’s demanding training sessions, a workout that left the former UFC champion exhausted but smiling from ear to ear.
By the end of the session, Moreno summed it up perfectly.
“I’m dying… It’s a good way to start camp.”
Vacation? Not Quite.
Moreno revealed that the trip wasn’t originally planned around MMA at all.
His wife had wanted to visit South Korea, giving the former champion a chance to enjoy the country before returning to Las Vegas to officially begin his next fight camp.
That didn’t stop him from packing his gloves.
A visit to Zombie Gym quickly became one of the highlights of the trip.
Zombie Gym Lives Up to Its Reputation
The training session wasn’t simply a few light rounds.
Moreno described the structure as one of the most realistic MMA practices he’s experienced.
The session began with an extended warm-up before transitioning into grappling rounds, followed immediately by live sparring while everyone was already fatigued.
According to Moreno, that’s exactly what happens inside a real fight.
“You scramble on the ground, stand back up completely exhausted, and you still have to keep fighting,” he explained, praising the way Zombie Gym recreates those chaotic situations.
One Thing Immediately Stood Out
While many visitors compliment Korean fighters for their toughness, Moreno noticed something different.
Footwork.
The former UFC champion repeatedly praised Zombie Gym’s athletes for their positioning, distance management, and movement.
“A lot of people don’t pay enough attention to footwork,” Moreno said. “It’s super important.” He added that everyone he trained with consistently maintained good positioning and distance throughout the session.
For one of the world’s best flyweights, that was one of the biggest takeaways from his visit.
More Than Just Training
Outside the gym, Moreno embraced everything South Korea had to offer.
He spent time walking around the city, visiting Buddhist temples, trying local restaurants, and soaking in Korean culture.
His wife, meanwhile, had her own mission.
According to Moreno, she has been learning Korean and has become confident enough to order food at restaurants on her own. He also joked that much of her shopping list revolved around Korea’s famous skincare products.
Moreno also said he appreciated how respectful everyone had been during his stay, mentioning the warm greetings he received from people throughout the city.
Inspiration Before Camp
Perhaps the most meaningful moment came after training.
Moreno said visiting new gyms reminds him why he fell in love with fighting in the first place.
Watching younger athletes chase their dreams gives him renewed motivation to continue pursuing his own.
“You go to another gym and you watch all these new talents chasing their dreams,” Moreno said. “They give you inspiration to keep going and keep chasing your own dreams too.”
After everything he has accomplished—including winning the UFC flyweight championship—that perspective says a lot.
What It Means
Brandon Moreno’s trip to Korea turned into far more than a sightseeing vacation.
Between surviving Zombie Gym’s demanding training, praising the technical level of Korean fighters, and immersing himself in Korean culture, the visit offered a reminder of why South Korea continues to attract world-class mixed martial artists.
Sometimes the best way to kick off a training camp isn’t a quiet week off.
Sometimes it’s getting thrown into “hell training” at Zombie Gym—and leaving with a little extra motivation for the road back to the Octagon.
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