UFC's Dan Ige: 'Korean Zombie' fight will propel me to next level

Dan Ige has no doubt that he can put Chan Sung Jung away.

Winner of seven of his past eight fights, Ige (15-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has an opportunity to hit the top five of the featherweight rankings when he takes on Jung (16-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 25 on June 19.

“The Korean Zombie” is perhaps the biggest name Ige has faced, and he thinks a win will not only help catapult him in the 145-pound pecking order, but also establish his name in what he sees as the perfect stylistic matchup.

“It’s the fight that’s going to propel me to the next level,” Ige told MMA Junkie. “It’s the fight that’s going to put me into the top five. It’s going to put me into that title contention range, and ‘The Korean Zombie’ is a legend. So I want to face household names like ‘Zombie,’ (Edson) Barboza. I want to have these guys on my resume, and ‘The Korean Zombie’ is a guy I watched forever.

“I’m a big fan of his, and I love his style. I just also think it’ll make a fun fight for myself, for the fans, for the company, and it’s going to raise my stock. One hundred percent, it’s going to raise his stock. We’re going to go out there and put on a good show, and this is my opportunity to break into the top of those household names.”

They call Jung “The Korean Zombie” for a reason. His ability to take shots and keep pressing the action has made him an instant fan favorite, but coming off that 22-second knockout of Gavin Tucker, Ige’s confidence is riding high.

“He’s a veteran, he’s durable, but he’s durable against certain guys,” Ige said. “Will he be durable against me? Maybe. I’ll be prepared if he is. But at the end of the day, I know if I can touch him clean anywhere, he’s going to go out cold.”