Lake, a participant in the Black Cup, experienced a streak of 12 consecutive losses, including 9 in the amateur category and an unbeaten record in 2017. However, he remains focused on each moment and appreciates the positive attention.
The National Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition, “Black Cup,” commenced in Osan, Gyeonggi-do, on March 14, 2026. The event is set to take place four times: on March 28, April 11, and May 2, to identify the semifinalists.
The quarterfinals outline matchups such as Korea Alpha vs. USA, Japan vs. Brazil, Mongolia vs. China, and Eurasia vs. Korea Omega. Here, ‘Eurasia’ refers to the concept of the “Eurasia prairie,” encompassing Russia and Central Asia, rather than the typical interpretation of Asia and Europe.
In the quarterfinals, the USA defeated the Korean Alpha team 4-3, recovering from a disciplinary penalty that cost them a point due to unauthorized player absence. Lake G, 31, in the Bantamweight class (61kg), earned a unanimous decision against “Ribai” Kim Yu-chan, 24, from Night Club Gym.
The inaugural season of the “Black Cup” is exclusively broadcasted live via the paid YouTube channel “Black Combat,” which is among Asia’s largest MMA organizations, ranking 9th in player count and 20th globally, with 76 fighters in the “Fight Matrix” world rankings.
Cedric Dumas from Canada included Lake in a selection of top MMA prospects to watch in March 2026. Despite a setback early in the match, Lake showcased robust wrestling skills in the subsequent rounds to claim victory over Kim Yu-chan.
Lake expressed gratitude for being acknowledged as an MMA fighter to watch. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on individual matches rather than his unbeaten streak or external evaluations, striving to present the best version of himself in every bout.
