UFC 273: Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie

At UFC 273 on Saturday 9th April 2022, reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to defend his strap for the third time when he faces crowd favourite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in the main event.

To many casual fans Volkanovski has been flying under the radar despite his brilliant performances against the upper echelon of the 145lb division. Boasting back to back wins over the lauded former champion Max Holloway, after beating the divisions old guard in Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo, and most recently putting on a dominant display against grappling phenom Brian Ortega to defend his title, one has to ask, why aren’t more people on the Volkanovski hype train?

When you look at the casino and sports book betting lines for this UFC 273 main event, the bookies are well aware of the talent and skillset of the UFC’s featherweight champion, but if you try and talk to the average sports fan about Alexander Volkanovski they may not even be able to put a face to the name.

The Korean Zombie on the other hand has been a bit of a cult hero in the MMA game dating back to his early WEC days before the parent company of the UFC at the time purchased the company.

Having been in some crazy back and forth fights and seemingly always being willing to lay it all on the line in order to entertain has earned him this notoriety and respect with the hardcore fans and casuals alike.

Alexander Volkanovski has shown again and again that he has the skills to beat the best the division has had to offer him, but maybe fighting the highest ranked, highest level fighters back to back since 2018 hasn’t allowed Volkanovski to show just how entertaining he can be. Chances are we will find out on Saturday night as the Korean Zombie is likely do what he always does and look for the finish throughout the fight even if this does leave him vulnerable to being countered. This should allow Alexander the chances to land a impressive or spectacular finish that just may make fans some on the outskirts of the sport pay more attention to much a talented champion,