DENIS KANG VICTORIOUS IN KOREA

By Al Yu

Denis Kang rebounded from his first loss since 2003 with a decision victory over the tough Jung-Kyu Choi at Spirit MC Inter League 5 in Korea. The American Top Team fighter utilized jabs, kicks and strong takedowns to earn a unanimous decision and successfully retained his Spirit MC title. Choi exhibited a very strong chin but was unable to stop Kang’s takedowns.

American Top Team’s Steve Bruno extended his winning streak with a TKO victory over Ho-Jin Kim. Kim was unable to intelligently defend himself against strikes, forcing the referee to halt the fight. With the win, Bruno has earned a title shot with current Spirit MC Middleweight Champion Jae-Seok Kim.

Dong-Hyeon Kim defeated Myeong-Kwang Min, Dae-Gun Kim and Ki-Chool Jung en route to winning the Spirit MC Middleweight Tournament. The DEEP veteran extended his undefeated record to eight wins. A few more solid wins could see Kim in contention for the middleweight title.


Spirit MC results:

Middleweight Tournament Reserve Match:
Soo-Young Kim def. Jae-Seong Jung – Decision, RD2

Middleweight Tournament Matches (1st Round):
Dae-Gun Kim def. Sang-Yull Lee – Decision, RD2
Dong-Hyeon Kim def. Myeong-Kwang Min – Decision, RD2
Ki-Chool Jung def. Jin-Young Song – Submission (Rear Naked Choke), RD1
Seong-Choo Kim def. Ji-Sun Jun – Decision, RD2

Chan-Ran Joo def. Ki-Young Nam – TKO, RD1
Chull-Hyeon Jung def. Dae-Jeong Lee – TKO, RD1

Middleweight Tournament Matches (Quarterfinals):
Dong-Hyeon Kim def. Dae-Gun Kim – Submission (Triangle Choke), RD1
Ki-Chool Jung def. Seong-Choo Kim – Submission (Armbar), RD1

Duk-Young Jang def. Haeng-Ki Kim - Submission (Armbar), RD1
Chang-Hyeon Kim def. Young-Kwang Choi - Submission (Rear Naked Choke), RD1
Jeong-Hwan Cha def. Yoon-Young Kim – Submission (Armbar), RD1

Middleweight Tournament Finals:
Dong-Hyeon Kim def. Ki-Chool Jung – Decision, RD2

Steve Bruno def. Ho-Jin Kim – TKO, RD2
Kwang-Hee Lee def. Ah-Seul Kweon – KO, RD1

Spirit MC Heavyweight Title Match:
Denis Kang def. Jeong-Kyu Choi – Unanimous Decision, RD3

Victory! But At The Cost Of Injury

By Okami

Denis Kang defeated Junggyu Choi yesterday in South Korea to retain his Spirit MC title. But his win came at the cost of injury...

Play by play of the fight by bruceleroy:

Bout 16: Heavyweight title match
Denis Kang (American Top Team) vs. Jung-kyu Choi (Unaffiliated)
92kg 92kg

Round 1: Kang lets Choi know what a real low kick feels like several times and Choi answers with his own. Kang takes Choi down with ease and catches his back. Kang looks like he’s taking it easy on Choi until the bell rings.

Round 2: Kang throws the right then takes Choi down again where Kang sinks in the kimura. Choi escapes the submission to his feet where he goes toe to toe with the PRIDE veteran. Choi is left bloody. Choi is obviously frustrated and tries the high kick and the reverse spinner. Kang works power low kicks to Choi’s thigh. Choi is tired and already looks beaten. Kang front kicks Choi in the face twice. Choi who is known for his ungodly chin actually taunts Kang. Kang gets a monster takedown, catches Choi’s back again, and finishes out the round comfortably.

Round 3: Kang opens with 3 jabs that rock the challenger’s head back. Kang performs a double-leg that should be a lesson for all of us rank amateurs. Kang gains side control and brings knees down on Choi’s head and ribs. Choi has nothing left but the fighters are stood. Kang finishes with more super-stiff jabs.

Judges decision: Kang

Unfortunately, the very exciting Kang has re-injured his hand. He fought at Spirit MC Interleague 5 on March 11th. He may be out until September. Let's all hope for a speedy recovery so we can see him back in action.

(Source)

Denis Kang Defends His Spirit MC Belt Tonight.

March 11th, Pride WW GP 2006 runner-up Denis Kang will return to the ring and defend his Spirit MC title against South Korean Junggyu Choi.

Junggyu Choi is new to MMA but is undefeated and in his last fight in October last year he beat UFC referee Herb Dean by keylock. He now has a shot at the title.



Spirit Martial Challenge is South Korea's biggest MMA organization and they held their first show in 2003. The first show was a 64-man open weight tournament for Korean fighters. The 64 fighters fought during a whole weekend in April until there were only 4 left. Those 4 fought a few months later in the finals.

(Source)