Overview of Women’s MMA in Korea
The potential emergence of a strong female presence in Korean MMA is on the rise, marking the first participation in the UFC since 2016. With several women registering in the global league, hope grows.
Black Kombat’s Aspirations
Park Pyeong-hwa, the CEO of Black Kombat, expressed keen interest in recruiting UFC fighter Kim Ji-yeon in an interview. Highlighting her skills, he emphasized the need for proper match justification and mentioned that they are ready to discuss potential opportunities.
Kim Ji-yeon’s MMA Journey
Over her UFC tenure from 2017 to 2023, Kim Ji-yeon achieved three wins and seven losses, making her the most active female competitor in Korea. Notably, her fight record includes a starting rank of 15th in December 2019, peaking at 13th place by mid-2020.
Recent Developments
Despite a series of losses since August 2020, her previous accolades include titles from the East Pacific Boxing Federation and Road FC, solidifying her legacy in the history of Korean women’s mixed martial arts.
Black Kombat’s Growth
Established just over three years ago, Black Kombat has quickly risen in the world rankings, currently sitting at 12th in Asia and 29th globally, with 50 top-ranked fighters under its banner.
Upcoming Matches and Future Stars
The company has plans for upcoming events including a bantamweight match between Alyona Aguisheva and Shin Soo-min, which could pave the way for future bouts, including one potentially against Kim Ji-yeon.
Looking Ahead
CEO Park believes in the longevity of Jeon Soo-min’s career prospects, revealing that even notable fighters have shown interest in competing against her. He acknowledges the exciting possibilities for matchups in the near future, including a possible rematch with Kim Ji-yeon.
