Rising South Korean featherweight Joo Sang Yoo electrified the MMA world at UFC 316 with a stunning 28-second knockout of Indonesia’s Jeka Saragih, instantly drawing comparisons to Conor McGregor’s legendary fast finishes in the division Yoo’s confident, hands-down striking style and his devastating left hook KO had UFC commentators and fans recalling McGregor’s iconic 13-second title win over Jose Aldo—a moment still celebrated as the fastest title fight knockout in UFC history.
Nicknamed “Zombie Jr.,” Yoo is openly inspired by fellow Korean featherweight icon Chan Sung Jung, better known as “The Korean Zombie.” After his debut win, Yoo revealed his ambition: to claim a UFC championship and dedicate it to his mentor, who twice fell short in UFC featherweight title fights before retiring in 2023 Yoo credited The Korean Zombie for supporting his journey to the UFC, stating his goal is to finish what Jung started and bring a belt home to Korea.
Joo Sang Yoo’s breakout moment arrives as Conor McGregor’s own featherweight legacy remains a benchmark in the sport. McGregor, who has not fought since 2021 due to injury, is still the only fighter to hold both UFC featherweight and lightweight titles, and his influence continues to shape the division’s narrative UFC English broadcasts and analysts were quick to highlight the similarities between Yoo’s performance and McGregor’s early career, fueling speculation about the next big star at 145 pounds.
With Yoo’s knockout win and promise to honor The Korean Zombie’s legacy, the UFC featherweight division has a new contender—and fans are left wondering: Could “Zombie Jr.” be the next to follow in McGregor’s footsteps and capture UFC gold?
