UFC Fight Night 165: Edgar vs. Korean Zombie - Predictions and Picks

#3 Doo Ho Choi vs. Charles Jourdain

Doo Ho Choi is back after a near-2 year layoff

Once considered the heir to the Korean Zombie’s throne as the premier fighter from South Korea, Doo Ho Choi has landed on some tough times as of late. He followed a Fight of the Year performance in a loss to Cub Swanson with a tough KO loss to Jeremy Stephens in January 2018, and hasn’t fought since.

‘The Korean Superboy’ has reportedly been fulfilling his mandatory military service, but will be able to fight here as the show is taking place on Korean soil. To return from almost two years on the shelf is always tricky, but thankfully Choi appears to have been handed a favourable match in this one.

Canada’s Jourdain has just one UFC fight to his name – a loss to Desmond Green in June – and despite coming on strongly in the third round of that fight, he didn’t really impress, being largely outstruck by Green in the opening two rounds.

At his best, Choi is an incredibly dangerous fighter; he hits very hard for a 145lber, he’s quick and has expert timing, and he’s also got plenty of experience against top-level opposition. The losses to Stephens and Swanson may have knocked his confidence, but the truth is that both men were high-level contenders when Choi fought them and losses to them are hardly shameful.

Assuming Choi doesn’t show any ill effects from his time on the sidelines, this should be a relatively comfortable – and violent – win for him. Jourdain has plenty of finishes on his ledger which suggests he’s a kill-or-be-killed type of fighter, and that should play into the hands of ‘The Korean Superboy’.

The Pick: Choi via first round KO