Dong Hyun Kim Determined to Spoil Gunnar Nelson's Party in Belfast
Dong Hyun Kim Determined to Spoil Gunnar Nelson's Party in Belfast
Dong Hyun Kim will enter enemy territory Nov. 19 when he faces Gunnar Nelson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Dong Hyun Kim will enter enemy territory Nov. 19 when he faces Gunnar Nelson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
At 34 years old, Kim will enter the contest the more experienced man with a professional record of 20-3-1. The South Korean has faced elite competition inside the UFC Octagon, including the likes of current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, Carlos Condit, Demian Maia, and Nate Diaz. Suffice to say, Kim has an impressive resume and he believes come fight night in Belfast, his extra experience and mental strength could prove to be the difference maker.
"It's my mentality that will bring me victory," Kim said. "I'm stronger when I fight my opponents on their own turf, because I think it's easier to ruin another man's party rather than safeguarding your own. There will be no one that will want my victory at Belfast, and I will throw a wet blanket on their party and just quietly come home with my fight money.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLYz8VlADDc/" hide_caption="0"]
"I did not get 12 wins just by grappling--and I will show everyone what I'm made of. I will prove my advanced MMA grappling skills outclass his stellar jiu-jitsu. My strategy will be to flow like water in every contact and find his weakness."
Since the announcement of the fight, Nelson has spoken about the advantage he will with have with the home crowd behind him. Kim, however, thinks all the pressure of a home crowd could backfire on Nelson, and that the weight of expectations could lay heavily on his shoulders.
"That kind of loud and passionate atmosphere can be both an advantage and a weakness," Kim said. "There's enormous pressure towards the fight, so I personally prefer to fight at enemy's turf. I don't know exactly how Gunnar is, but my feeling is that he's not the type that fully enjoys that kind of attention like Conor McGregor.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLAkUDLAMiv/" hide_caption="0"]
"The kind of know-how learned from fighting relentlessly for the last nine years doesn't just go away, and I believe it will come into play at the most needed moment. I'll probably walk into the Octagon with a lot of booing, but if I put up a good fight, I will win their respect and I know they will be clapping as I walk out."
With Kim ranked No. 10 and Nelson ranked No. 12 in the UFC welterweight division, the winner could well see themselves enter the title picture with just another win. While that may be the case, the only thing the South Korean has his eyes on is the task at hand, and that's beating Nelson at the SSE Arena.
"I have no thoughts whatsoever on the title right now," he said. "You have to win your upcoming fight to get a title contention, and every fight for me is to live or die. Only after I win will I think of my next steps."
At 34 years old, Kim will enter the contest the more experienced man with a professional record of 20-3-1. The South Korean has faced elite competition inside the UFC Octagon, including the likes of current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, Carlos Condit, Demian Maia, and Nate Diaz. Suffice to say, Kim has an impressive resume and he believes come fight night in Belfast, his extra experience and mental strength could prove to be the difference maker.
"It's my mentality that will bring me victory," Kim said. "I'm stronger when I fight my opponents on their own turf, because I think it's easier to ruin another man's party rather than safeguarding your own. There will be no one that will want my victory at Belfast, and I will throw a wet blanket on their party and just quietly come home with my fight money.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLYz8VlADDc/" hide_caption="0"]
"I did not get 12 wins just by grappling--and I will show everyone what I'm made of. I will prove my advanced MMA grappling skills outclass his stellar jiu-jitsu. My strategy will be to flow like water in every contact and find his weakness."
Since the announcement of the fight, Nelson has spoken about the advantage he will with have with the home crowd behind him. Kim, however, thinks all the pressure of a home crowd could backfire on Nelson, and that the weight of expectations could lay heavily on his shoulders.
"That kind of loud and passionate atmosphere can be both an advantage and a weakness," Kim said. "There's enormous pressure towards the fight, so I personally prefer to fight at enemy's turf. I don't know exactly how Gunnar is, but my feeling is that he's not the type that fully enjoys that kind of attention like Conor McGregor.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLAkUDLAMiv/" hide_caption="0"]
"The kind of know-how learned from fighting relentlessly for the last nine years doesn't just go away, and I believe it will come into play at the most needed moment. I'll probably walk into the Octagon with a lot of booing, but if I put up a good fight, I will win their respect and I know they will be clapping as I walk out."
With Kim ranked No. 10 and Nelson ranked No. 12 in the UFC welterweight division, the winner could well see themselves enter the title picture with just another win. While that may be the case, the only thing the South Korean has his eyes on is the task at hand, and that's beating Nelson at the SSE Arena.
"I have no thoughts whatsoever on the title right now," he said. "You have to win your upcoming fight to get a title contention, and every fight for me is to live or die. Only after I win will I think of my next steps."