Location: Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk‑do, South Korea
Parent Team: Busan Team MAD
Notable Fighters: Dong Hun Choi, You Min Shin, Min Hyuk Lee, Dong Hun Gwak
Pohang Team MAD is one of South Korea’s fastest‑growing MMA gyms and a key regional branch of the legendary Team MAD network — the same system that produced UFC fighters like Kim Dong‑Hyun, Doo Ho Choi, and Kyung Ho Kang. The gym is located in Pohang, operating under the umbrella of Busan Team MAD, one of Korea’s most prestigious MMA organizations.
Pohang Team MAD has quickly built a reputation for producing disciplined, well‑rounded fighters who compete in the UFC, Road to UFC, Black Combat, AFC, and Ring Championship.
Origins & Connection to Team MAD
Team MAD was founded in 2005 by Yang Seong‑hoon in Busan and has since expanded into multiple branches across Korea. It is widely regarded as one of the country’s premier MMA teams, producing numerous UFC and ONE Championship athletes.
Pohang Team MAD serves as one of these branches, carrying the same training philosophy, coaching lineage, and competitive standards as the main Busan headquarters.
Training Philosophy
Pohang Team MAD emphasizes:
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High‑pressure striking and wrestling fundamentals
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Strong top‑control grappling
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Fight‑ready conditioning
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A disciplined, competition‑focused environment
The gym is known for producing fighters with strong physicality, durability, and finishing instincts — traits reflected in its top athletes.
Notable Fighters
Dong Hun Choi — UFC Flyweight (9–0)
One of Korea’s brightest prospects, Choi is undefeated and rose to prominence after winning Road to UFC Season 3, later signing with the UFC. He began his professional career with Pohang Team MAD and continues to represent the city proudly.
You Min Shin — Bantamweight Prospect (6–1)
A rising finisher with multiple KO/TKO wins, Shin trains out of Pohang Team MAD and was selected for Road to UFC Season 5 before withdrawing due to injury.
Min Hyuk “Emperor Penguin” Lee — Lightweight
A developing fighter with experience in Korea’s regional scene.
Dong Hun Gwak — Bantamweight
An emerging prospect with early professional experience.
These fighters represent the gym’s growing influence in Korea’s competitive MMA ecosystem.
Pohang’s MMA Identity
Pohang Team MAD has become a symbol of:
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Local pride — UFC fighter Dong Hun Choi was appointed Pohang’s official promotional ambassador in 2025.
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Elite training outside Seoul/Busan — proving that world‑class fighters can emerge from regional cities
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A new generation of Korean MMA talent — especially in flyweight and bantamweight divisions
The gym’s success has helped position Pohang as a rising combat‑sports city in Korea.
Why Pohang Team MAD Matters
Pohang Team MAD is significant because it:
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Extends the legacy of Team MAD, one of Korea’s most successful MMA systems
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Produces UFC‑level talent from outside Korea’s major metropolitan hubs
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Maintains a strong amateur and professional development pipeline
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Represents the next wave of Korean MMA expansion into regional cities
As Korean MMA continues to grow — with Road to UFC, Black Combat, AFC, and global attention increasing — Pohang Team MAD stands out as a crucial contributor to the country’s future talent pool.
