“I really want to fight Alexandre Topuria.” — South Korea’s “Yoo-Jitsu”, Soo Young Yoo, makes his intentions clear after handing Cody Hovancek his first professional defeat.
South Korean bantamweight Soo Young Yoo has his sights set on a high-profile matchup with Alexandre Topuria, the older brother of UFC superstar Ilia Topuria, following an impressive submission victory at UFC Fight Night: Buckley vs. Malott in Edmonton, Canada.
Competing at Rogers Place on October 17 local time (October 18 in South Korea), the 30-year-old Black Combat Official Gym representative defeated previously unbeaten Canadian prospect Cody Hovancek via kimura submission at 4:19 of the third round.
The victory marked an important rebound for Yoo, who suffered a setback against Elijah Smith in March. More importantly, it gave the Korean grappling specialist his first UFC finish while handing Hovancek, who entered the contest with a perfect 9-0 record, his first professional loss.
But it was Yoo’s post-fight callout that immediately turned attention toward what could come next.
Yoo Wants Alexandre Topuria Next
When asked about his preferred opponent and timeline for his next appearance, Yoo wasted little time identifying his target.
“Whenever they book me, I’ll be ready. I really want to fight Alexandre Topuria,” Yoo said during his post-fight interview.
The callout was hardly spontaneous.
Yoo has expressed interest in facing Alexandre Topuria since making his UFC debut, making the Georgian bantamweight a long-standing target rather than a name selected simply to capitalize on his latest victory.
Topuria, the older brother of Ilia Topuria, carries considerable attention because of his family’s prominence in the sport. For Yoo, a matchup would provide an opportunity to test his grappling-heavy approach against another highly regarded bantamweight while potentially elevating his profile within the division.
Whether the UFC will entertain the matchup remains to be seen, but Yoo has made his preference unmistakably clear.
A Statement Victory Built on Jiu-Jitsu
Known by the nickname “Yoo-Jitsu,” Yoo entered the Edmonton matchup determined to erase the disappointment of his previous outing.
Despite his confidence in preparation, the Korean fighter admitted that the pressure to deliver a strong performance weighed on him.
“After my last fight, I felt that I hadn’t shown my best,” Yoo explained. “I was confident coming into this fight, but there was pressure to prove myself. I just focused on doing what we had trained for, and I think that’s why we got a good result.”
Yoo appeared relaxed during his walkout, even dancing as he made his way toward the Octagon.
However, he revealed that the lighthearted entrance was part of a deliberate effort to manage the pressure of fighting on foreign soil.
“I was confident, but because I was fighting in Canada, I wanted to minimize the pressure as much as possible. Dancing helped me stay relaxed.”
Inside the Octagon, Yoo maintained his composure against Hovancek, who attempted to create openings with aggressive punches late in the fight.
Rather than becoming rattled by the Canadian’s offense, Yoo said he had anticipated those attacks during training camp.
“We expected those kinds of attacks during preparation, so I wasn’t surprised. Even in the third round, I just wanted to stay calm and fight my fight.”
His patience ultimately paid off when he secured the kimura submission late in the final round.
First UFC Finish Comes With a $25,000 Bonus
For a fighter whose identity is closely tied to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, securing his first UFC finish by submission carried particular significance.
Yoo expressed pride in demonstrating his grappling abilities on one of mixed martial arts’ biggest stages.
“To get a submission with my jiu-jitsu style in an organization like the UFC makes me really proud,” he said. “I’m very thankful to my teammates.”
The victory also came with a reported $25,000 bonus, providing an additional reward for his performance.
Yoo said the money would allow him to spend meaningful time with his family, although his competitive ambitions remain firmly in focus.
He hopes to continue showcasing his submission skills in future appearances.
“I want to work even harder so I can win by submission again in my next fight.”
Turning the Canadian Crowd Against Him Into Motivation
Fighting a Canadian opponent in Edmonton meant Yoo had to contend with a crowd largely supporting Hovancek.
The Korean bantamweight was met with considerable boos throughout the contest, but he explained that he chose to interpret the hostile reception as a positive sign.
“I kept telling myself that if they were booing, it meant I was doing something right,” Yoo said.
Rather than allowing the atmosphere to disrupt his performance, Yoo used it as motivation to continue applying pressure and implementing his preferred fighting style.
His ability to remain composed in hostile territory was another encouraging development following the disappointment of his previous defeat.
Cheeseburgers, Boston Pizza, and Back to Work
Despite the significance of the victory, Yoo’s immediate post-fight plans were considerably simpler than his ambitions inside the Octagon.
Asked how he intended to celebrate, the Korean fighter revealed that he had been craving cheeseburgers throughout fight week.
“I really wanted to eat cheeseburgers with my teammates,” Yoo said.
When asked how many he planned to eat, he joked that two cheeseburgers might be followed by a visit to Boston Pizza.
Yoo also spoke warmly about his experience in Canada, praising the food and local fans who approached him for photographs despite his status as the visiting fighter.
He admitted that he would have liked more time to explore the country, particularly natural attractions such as Niagara Falls, and hopes to return someday as a tourist.
Even during his planned celebration, however, Yoo intends to review the performance with his team and identify areas for improvement.
“There were still a lot of things I wasn’t satisfied with in the fight. I want to discuss those things, improve them, and immediately start focusing on putting on an even better performance next time.”
A New Opportunity in the UFC Bantamweight Division
Yoo’s submission victory represents more than simply a return to the win column.
After experiencing his first UFC setback earlier this year, the South Korean bantamweight responded by defeating an undefeated prospect in enemy territory, earning his first finish in the promotion and reminding fans of the grappling skills that helped establish his reputation.
Now, his attention has shifted toward Alexandre Topuria.
A potential matchup would carry an intriguing storyline, pitting the Korean submission specialist against a fighter connected to one of MMA’s most recognizable families.
For Yoo, however, the motivation appears straightforward. He has wanted the fight since entering the UFC, and his latest victory has given him another opportunity to make his case.
The message from “Yoo-Jitsu” is clear: He is ready whenever the UFC calls, and Alexandre Topuria is the name he wants on the contract.
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