The Korean MMA icon may have given fans the answer—and it involves money, storytelling, and a little friendly teasing.
When Choo Sung Hoon announced that he would be making a return to competition through Black Combat, Korean MMA fans immediately began speculating about who he would face and why he chose the promotion for his comeback.
After all, Choo Sung Hoon had options.
One of the most obvious alternatives was ZFN, the promotion led by former UFC featherweight contender Chan Sung Jung, better known to fans around the world as “The Korean Zombie.” The two have maintained a friendly relationship over the years, and many fans assumed that if Choo Sung Hoon ever wanted a farewell fight in Korea, Zombie’s promotion would be a natural fit.
As it turns out, Choo Sung Hoon has actually thought about it.
Choo Sung Hoon Jokes About a ZFN Retirement Fight
The topic came up during a recent appearance on the popular YouTube channel GYM JONG KOOK, hosted by singer, entertainer, and fitness enthusiast Jong Kook Kim.
(And yes, if you remember Turbo, congratulations—you may have just aged yourself.)
During the conversation, Jong Kook asked Choo Sung Hoon about his fighting future and whether he was truly retired.
The answer?
Not quite.
“I haven’t retired yet. That’s why I work out every day.”
The conversation eventually shifted toward Chan Sung Jung and ZFN.
According to Choo Sung Hoon, the possibility of working with Zombie’s promotion had crossed his mind.
“Going into Chan Sung’s side would be okay too. I actually thought about that too.”
That alone was enough to get MMA fans talking, but it was what came next that really caught everyone’s attention.
When Jong Kook asked if there was anyone he would like to fight one last time, Choo Sung Hoon revealed that he had considered leaving a final match for Chan Sung Jung’s promotion.
Then came the punchline.
“I thought about leaving a final match to Chan Sung, like an event or retirement fight. The fight purse doesn’t match.”
The studio immediately burst into laughter.
Looking directly into the camera as if he were speaking to Zombie himself, Choo Sung Hoon doubled down on the joke.
“Yeah, it’s the last match. Would you do it if the fee doesn’t match?”
Was Black Combat Simply the Better Offer?
While the exchange was clearly made in good fun, there may be a little truth hidden inside the joke.
Black Combat has rapidly become one of the most talked-about promotions in Korean MMA thanks to its ability to create compelling storylines around fighters. Rather than simply booking fights, the promotion often builds rivalries, narratives, and character arcs that attract attention beyond hardcore MMA fans.
For a figure like Choo Sung Hoon, whose career has always extended beyond combat sports into television, entertainment, and mainstream celebrity culture, that approach may make perfect sense.
If a comeback fight is potentially the final chapter of a legendary career, it needs more than just an opponent.
It needs a story.
Interestingly, Choo Sung Hoon hinted at exactly that during the interview.
“If I do it, I want the last one to be in Korea. There needs to be a story so people will come to watch.”
That statement may be the biggest clue yet regarding why Black Combat emerged as the destination for his return.
A Farewell Fight Needs More Than a Name
Jong Kook jokingly suggested that someone should pick a fight with Choo Sung Hoon to create interest.
The idea sounds humorous on the surface, but it highlights a reality of modern combat sports.
Fans don’t just buy tickets for fights anymore.
They buy into stories.
And few Korean MMA organizations have leaned into storytelling as aggressively as Black Combat.
Whether the promotion ultimately hosts Choo Sung Hoon’s final fight remains to be seen, but the company has already succeeded in getting fans talking long before an opponent has even been announced.
Could ZFN Still Be Involved Someday?
Despite the jokes about fight purses, there doesn’t appear to be any bad blood between Choo Sung Hoon and Chan Sung Jung.
In fact, the interview suggested the exact opposite.
The respect between the two Korean MMA stars remains obvious, and Choo Sung Hoon openly acknowledged that a collaboration with Zombie’s side was something he had considered.
For now, however, the road leads through Black Combat.
Whether that road ends with one final retirement fight, another run of appearances, or an unexpected opponent is something fans will be watching closely in the months ahead.
One thing is certain: Choo Sung Hoon still isn’t calling it a career.
And if his comments are any indication, he’s making sure the ending is worth watching.
Fans can watch the full discussion on Jong Kook Kim’s YouTube channel, GYM JONG KOOK, and follow Choo Sung Hoon‘s official YouTube channel for additional updates surrounding his comeback plans.
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