Ex-Korean-Japanese Judoka Champion Joins UFC

Former Korean-Japanese judoka Chu Seong-hun, 33, has jumped into Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC.

With a flurry of top class players, the UFC is the ultimate fighting competition in the world. Welterweight Kim Dong-hyun, 28, is the only Korean competing in the event.

The UFC announced on its Web site yesterday, “We signed an exclusive contract with Chu Seong-hun, a stalwart in the middleweight division, and he will begin fighting this summer.”

His first opponent has yet to be picked.

Chu opted for the UFC after also considering Japan`s Sengoku as his contract with K-1 expired in December last year.

The deal between Chu and the UFC, known for its strict process in recruiting players, represents the Korean’s superb capacity and skills and his high commercial value.

Chu has not fought a big name over the past year, but remains a favorite in the middleweight division. The online magazine MMA Weekly of the United States ranks Chu 10th among world middleweight fighters.

UFC President Dana White said, "I`m excited to bring (Chu) into the UFC, and UFC fans are going to love watching him because he always shows up to fight."

Having recruited Chu in addition to Olympic gold medalist judoka Satoshi Ishii of Japan, the UFC said its visibility in Asia will increase.

The UFC’s middleweight division is quite strong, with title-holder Anderson Silva (Brazil) considered the strongest in all divisions. Also competing in the division are Yushin Okami, Nathan Marquardt and Michael Bisping, whom Chu must beat for the title.

wing@donga.com