Hyun Man Myung is one of South Korea’s most accomplished heavyweight kickboxers and a former professional mixed martial artist best known for his explosive punching power and fan-friendly fighting style. Nicknamed “The Iron Gentleman,” Hyun Man Myung successfully transitioned from an elite kickboxing career into MMA, competing in promotions including ROAD FC, RIZIN Fighting Federation, Revolution, and DOMVS.

Although his professional MMA career was relatively brief, every one of his victories came by knockout or TKO, reinforcing the devastating striking reputation Hyun Man Myung had already built inside the kickboxing ring. Beyond MMA, Hyun Man Myung became one of Korea’s most recognizable heavyweight strikers through his success in MAX FC and numerous kickboxing events.

Born on February 22, 1985, Hyun Man Myung grew up in South Korea and developed a background in striking sports before eventually becoming one of the country’s premier heavyweight kickboxers. He later joined Apgujeong Gym, where he expanded his skill set to mixed martial arts while maintaining his identity as a knockout artist.

Publicly verified information regarding his childhood and early athletic development remains limited, but his combat sports career has consistently centered around striking competition.

Few Korean heavyweights have possessed knockout power comparable to Hyun Man Myung.

Every professional MMA victory of his career came via knockout or technical knockout, reflecting a style built almost entirely around pressure, heavy boxing combinations, and finishing ability. His background as a decorated kickboxer translated naturally into MMA, where he preferred to keep fights standing and overwhelm opponents with punches.

While his offensive striking made him dangerous against any heavyweight, his limited submission game proved to be his greatest weakness, with two of his professional losses coming by submission against experienced grapplers.

Hyun Man Myung entered professional MMA in 2013 after already establishing himself in kickboxing.

He immediately announced his arrival with a first-round knockout victory before earning additional stoppage wins that led to opportunities on larger stages. In 2015 Hyun Man Myung joined ROAD FC’s Openweight Tournament, where he defeated Brazilian heavyweight Jairo Kusunoki in only 35 seconds to advance.

His tournament run eventually ended against legendary K-1 knockout artist Mighty Mo, who submitted Hyun Man Myung with a neck crank in the semifinals at ROAD FC 30. Although the loss halted his championship aspirations, Myung remained one of ROAD FC’s most entertaining heavyweights.

In 2017,  Hyun Man Myung headlined ROAD FC 41 against future UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett. Entering the bout as the underdog, he delivered one of the biggest victories of his MMA career, stopping Barnett by second-round TKO in front of a home crowd. The win remains one of the signature moments of his MMA résumé.

Later that year, he competed in an openweight contest against China’s Aorigele that ended in a no contest before gradually stepping away from MMA competition. He briefly returned in 2025, scoring another first-round knockout under the DOMVS banner, extending his reputation as one of Korea’s most dangerous heavyweight punchers.

Outside MMA, Myung has continued competing at the highest levels of Korean kickboxing, capturing championships in MAX FC and remaining an active figure in the country’s striking scene.

• Veteran of ROAD FC, RIZIN Fighting Federation, Revolution and DOMVS
• Competed in the ROAD FC Openweight Tournament
• Defeated future UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett by TKO
• Every professional MMA victory earned by knockout or TKO
• Longtime MAX FC heavyweight champion and one of Korea’s most accomplished heavyweight kickboxers
• Widely recognized as one of South Korea’s premier heavyweight strikers

Hyun Man Myung represents a rare example of a world-class Korean heavyweight striker who successfully crossed between kickboxing and mixed martial arts. While his greatest accomplishments came inside the kickboxing ring, his willingness to challenge high-level heavyweight competition in MMA earned him widespread respect among Korean fight fans. His career continues to influence Korea’s heavyweight striking scene, and he remains one of the country’s most recognizable combat sports personalities.