Featherweight fan favorite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (14-4, 4 KOs, 8 SUBs) meets high-flying Yair Rodriguez (14-4, 4 KOs, 8 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 139 on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The card airs live on FS1.
As far as opponents go, Frankie Edgar and Yair Rodriguez are completely different fighters to prepare for. For The Korean Zombie, instead of facing a brilliant technical wrestle-boxer in Edgar, he’ll meet a flashy striking artist in “El Pantera”. So while TKZ vs. Edgar was a sick fight, replacing a hurt former lightweight champion with Rodriguez isn’t a terrible consolation prize.
These guys simply do not know how to be boring. Rodriguez is basically like a hyper version of the old Anthony Pettis - throwing himself across the cage with moves pulled out of the a kung fu movie. Zombie is one of the most creative fighters there is, just as capable of a flashy knockout as he is of a rare submission.
Put them in the cage together and it’s not only gonna be an awesome fight, but an important one. Jung is a marketable fighter with a following, and he could find himself in a title shot sooner than later should he make a big statement here.
The UFC odds at BookMaker.eu opened with the Korean as the favorite, though the line was set only recently. Let’s get into the best bets for this matchup. Keep in mind that live UFC betting at BookMaker.eu is also available to hedge your plays during the fight.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Chan Sung Jung -130
Frankie Edgar +100
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: +205 / -285
Striking Stats
Significant strikes landed per minute: Rodriguez 3.86 / Jung 3.78
Accuracy: Rodriguez 43.08% / Jung 38%
Significant strikes absorbed per minute: Rodriguez 2.59 / Jung 3.45
Defense: Rodriguez 58.76% / Jung 62%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Rodriguez 1.3 / Jung 1.12
Takedown accuracy: Rodriguez 40% / Jung 71%
Takedown defense: Rodriguez 62.5% / Jung 68%
Submission average: Rodriguez 1.3 / Jung 0.9
Bet on The Korean Zombie vs. Yair Rodriguez Odds
Can I just clear one thing up? As a Korean-American, it makes me cringe a bit to hear UFC play-by-play guys not really know how to say The Zombie’s name. Chan Sung Jung is his full name, Chan Sung is his first name, and Jung is his last name. Hearing guys call him “Sung Jung” would be the equivalent of calling somebody Robert Smith “Bert Smith”.
Thanks for listening. As for the fight itself, this is the first time Pantera is stepping into the cage since getting mauled by Frankie Edgar. It was the type of brutal beating that causes some to wonder if a fighter will be the same afterward. Simply put, Rodriguez’s lack of wrestling was exposed as he was taken down by Edgar and pounded so badly that the doctor had to stop the matchup between rounds.
Fortunately for Rodriguez, Zombie is not a dominating wrestler. While the Korean has beautiful submission attempts, we’re not so sure he can get the fight to the ground against an athlete of Rodriguez’s caliber. But if this stays on the feet, he can easily match Yair’s dynamic creativity - and his ability to brawl is proven.
UFC Odds Pick: Rodriguez to win at +100
Zombie isn’t really a fighter that dominates his opponents - he tends to fight to the level of the guys he’s facing. In this case, he’s got a lot of question marks, as he’ll be returning from yet another major injury at 31. Rodriguez’s line tempts a small bet, as his recklessness should give TKZ a ton of problems.
UFC Odds Pick: Fight doesn’t go to decision -285
When it comes to finishing fights, there are fewer guys better at finding ways to nab a stoppage than The Korean Zombie. Conversely, Rodriguez’s penchant for high-risk maneuvers factors in well against a guy who sometimes forgets to protect his chin.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC Fight Night 139 takes place on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The card airs live on FS1.
