The Korean Zombie is back from the dead. After serving a mandatory two-year stint in the South Korean army, former title challenger Chan Sung Jung will rejoin a featherweight division that looks vastly different than the one he left. But he can prove that he still belongs in the elite tier of contenders with a win over the No. 8 ranked Dennis Bermudez in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 104.
Let’s take a look at your UFC betting odds and break down a highly entertaining scrap.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Chan Sung Jung +150
Dennis Bermudez -175
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -200, under +170
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu are updated daily.
How The Korean Zombie Wins
Even though the “Zombie” style of fighting gained Jung throngs of fans worldwide, it’s one that’s completely unsustainable. After suffering a KO loss to George Roop in 2010, Jung vowed to ditch the style and fight more intelligently. And he did for the most part, racking up three straight wins to earn a title challenge against then-champion Jose Aldo.
Zombie is at his best when he’s fighting smart - and by no means does that mean conservative. He is one of the most dynamic offensive fighters in the division, from relentless multi-punch combinations to snatching rare submissions. Against Leonard Garcia, he became the first fighter to ever win by Twister. In a Fight of the Year against Dustin Poirier, a flying knee changed the momentum for good.
Assuming he’s rested and fully healed after his two-year hiatus, Jung needs to showcase the creativity and grit that made him a star. He is dangerous on the ground and on the feet, and Zombie needs to threaten in both phases to outwork Bermudez.
How Bermudez Wins
Though Zombie is the more flashy fighter, it’s Bermudez that is more well-rounded in the the traditional sense. “The Menace” can do everything well. On the feet, Dennis he is fluid and powerful with his kick-punch combinations. His natural strength and stocky frame makes him a natural wrestler with authoritative takedowns.
He does everything with wicked intentions. There is no pawing punches or half-hearted shots. This commitment both works for and against him. Bermudez can quickly damage his opponents, but he leaves himself open for counters. That’s extremely dangerous against an opportunist like Jung.
To beat the Zombie, Bermudez must put forth a three-dimensional game. He should be able to find success on the feet, clinch and on the mat. But the longer he stays in any phase, the more susceptible he becomes to one of Jung’s unpredictable offenses.
Breakdown and Betting Values
Tough call here, especially since we don’t know how Jung will look after such a long layoff. There is also the problem of his porous defense against such a powerful hitter like Bermudez. What we can say for sure is that Zombie hasn’t faced a wrestler of Bermudez’s caliber, and that could be a big issue. It’s hard to pick against Zombie, since I’m such a big fan, but Bermudez has a better shot at victory.
UFC odds pick: Bermudez to win at -175
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UFC Fight Night 104 takes place on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The card airs live on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET.
