Though he was tall and well-built, the weight difference was clear to anyone watching. More surprising than the spectators were those involved.
Yu Jung-ak had competed in the featherweight division in his previous match. A featherweight fighter was lifting a heavyweight fighter with sheer strength.
Of course, it wasn't before a match so his weight had increased, but it was still impressive even considering that.
For Yu Jung-ak, who had been an elite wrestler, this wasn't actually that big of a deal. The reason such scenes don't occur often in matches is because opponents know how to defend, but right now Ki Jun-soo wasn't properly defending against Yu Jung-ak's movements.
Takedown defense isn't just about extending the legs back and pushing the upper body down. There were various detailed techniques within that, and amateur wrestling was the field that dealt with those techniques professionally.
Yu Jung-ak didn't use much strength. He simply grabbed Ki Jun-soo's legs using momentum and lightly twisted to flip him over.
Seeing this, Oh Jung-ryong said to Kim Young-tae:
"Hey, isn't that the technique you got caught with?"
"No, hyung. I fell for a more advanced technique..."
"It's all the same. You got caught, that's what."
"I'm telling you it's not."
"Tsk. You talk too much."
While Oh Jung-ryong and Kim Young-tae were talking, Yu Jung-ak had grabbed Ki Jun-soo's side and was pinning him down.
Ki Jun-soo tried to escape, but Yu Jung-ak wouldn't let him easily. While striking relies heavily on innate ability, grappling gives results proportional to practice. Though Ki Jun-soo had trained in grappling to some extent, he was still a beginner.
It was difficult for him to break free from Yu Jung-ak.
Yu Jung-ak hadn't trained in grappling for very long either, but he had more experience than Ki Jun-soo. Above all, Yu Jung-ak had the solid foundation of wrestling. On top of that, he had received private lessons from a grappling expert. He was on a different level from Ki Jun-soo.
Thud!
It wasn't a heavy pounding, but Yu Jung-ak started landing some strikes. After taking one hit, Ki Jun-soo panicked and began flailing.
Maintaining top position pressure was one of the things Yu Jung-ak had practiced most while learning grappling. Even though Ki Jun-soo outweighed him, it was difficult to escape.
Ki Jun-soo tried to roll and stand up, but Yu Jung-ak calmly changed positions while landing strikes.
The strikes were weak, like light taps on the head. But this actually made it more humiliating for Ki Jun-soo.
It looked like an instructor guiding a student.
The judges started pressing the red buttons one by one. When all the red lights came on, it meant elimination.
Ki Jun-soo couldn't last the full 3 minutes.
After losing to Yu Jung-ak, Ki Jun-soo left the filming location angrily without even giving an interview. Yu Jung-ak calmly returned to his seat and turned on his smartphone.
Yu Jung-ak didn't pay attention to the gazes around him, but many people were quietly observing him. Especially the lightweight fighters in the same weight class as Yu Jung-ak.
The filming for "Neighborhood Fist Incheon" wrapped up successfully. At the same time, the air date for "Neighborhood Fist" was set.
Around that time, short promotional videos for "Neighborhood Fist" started circulating. Videos would occasionally appear on Naver, the country's largest web portal.
One of the protagonists in those preview videos was Yu Jung-ak.
The video showed a brief edited clip of Yu Jung-ak lifting up a large man. Along with that, Yu Jung-ak's fame grew day by day.
Whether he was aware of his growing recognition or not, Yu Jung-ak was still focused on training. Working on increasing his walk-around weight.
Yu Jung-ak was striving to gain weight purely through muscle.
"Again. Do it again!"
Cho Yong-il was still teaching Yu Jung-ak the one-two punch. Whenever Yu Jung-ak's armpits opened even slightly, Cho Yong-il immediately pointed it out.
Yu Jung-ak had debuted in 2016 and fought 3 matches. He had won all of those fights, and the fighters he had beaten were all noteworthy.
Especially the 5-round fight with Yu Min-jong was an impactful match that made not only fans but also officials remember Yu Jung-ak's name.
That's why Yu Jung-ak's coaching staff was tempering him even more.
Now strategies that relied on catching opponents off guard no longer worked. Yu Jung-ak was already established as someone to be wary of in the lightweight division.
Yu Jung-ak, a rookie aiming for the next championship.
Online, he was known by the half-joking nickname "Super High School Senior".
Oh Jung-ryong polished Yu Jung-ak's overall technique, Cho Yong-il handled striking, and Yoon Hong-seok was in charge of ground work.
The training Yu Jung-ak devoted the most time to was striking.
Boxing.
Though he practiced kicks with Oh Jung-ryong from time to time, it wasn't very frequent. Yu Jung-ak was persistently working on jabs and straights as Cho Yong-il instructed.
Especially with jabs, he was now practicing alternating between basic jabs and flicker jabs. A tactic that had already proven effective in actual fights. If used well, it could become Yu Jung-ak's signature weapon.
Yoon Chang-seon was tasked with analyzing fighters in the lightweight division that Yu Jung-ak belonged to. His job was to select and analyze fighters from the current champion to top contenders.
After finishing his workout, Yu Jung-ak was watching a video of one fighter with his coaching staff. It was Gal Seung-hyun, known as the 10th dan in Kyokushin Karate.
Height 180cm, reach 192cm.
An opponent worthy of being called a striking specialist.
He used kicks well but didn't make big movements, and mixed in heavy strikes.
Total record: 5 wins, 0 losses, undefeated.
He had KO'd his opponents in the first round in 4 out of 5 fights. One fight went to the second round before he knocked out his opponent. He was not only a strong candidate for the next championship but there were already rumors of him moving to the CFC.
He had good physical attributes but also the skills to match.
His distinguishing trait was that he had trained in martial arts as an amateur for a long time.
He was gaining popularity with his confident manner of speaking and throat-slitting gesture after fights.
"Look at that. He strikes while slamming his head in. That shows how confident he is," Cho Yong-il said while watching the video.
"His punching power looks strong."
"Punches that land on pinpoint spots like that have nothing to do with power. You just collapse. There's no feeling of pain. You just see a flash in front of your eyes and when you come to, you're lying on the ground."
"How's his wrestling?" Yu Jung-ak asked, looking at Oh Jung-ryong.
"His defense is good. I'm not sure about his offense, but his defense is definitely solid. He hasn't been taken down yet," Oh Jung-ryong replied.
"He doesn't have many fights though."
"You know Gal Seung-hyun was the winner of the previous season of 'Neighborhood Fist', right? Even then, he was never taken down in actual fights. Isn't that enough proof?"
"I see..."
"What do you think? It'll be tricky, right?"
"If wrestling doesn't work, it'll be hard to find an answer. He uses kicks well, has good striking, and above all, he has punching power..."
"So the answer is one of two things, like I said before: either dive in with wrestling or prepare for the striking."
"It's not even confirmed yet, why are you getting worked up?"
"The end of the year is coming soon. And then the new year. There are many good matchups in January, February, and March. They'll probably try to push someone to face the current lightweight champion."
"You mean Gal Seung-hyun?"
"There's no better opponent than Gal Seung-hyun. The current champ Kwon Cheol is strong, but he's not undefeated. He's lost quite a few times in the past. Of course, he's now called a complete fighter."
"They're putting in a sacrificial lamb to build up Gal Seung-hyun. You think I'll be chosen as that lamb?"
Yu Jung-ak asked.
"If I were the Spirit representative, I wouldn't use you like that. You could fly higher if we develop you more. But Jang Hyun-sung has already hit us from behind once, right? So we can't be sure."
"I guess I should prepare in advance then."
Yu Jung-ak said as he replayed the video.
Winter was approaching. Yu Jung-ak returned home for once to meet his family. Cho Yong-hee, despite being busy, had prepared lots of food waiting for her eldest son to come. It was a feast, but everything was commonly bland.
"Mom? Why does this taste like this?" Yu Jung-ak's younger brother Yu Jung-sun whined like a child.
"Just eat it, you brat."
"It tastes bad."
"Just eat it this time. I made it less salty to match your brother's taste."
"This is less salty? You just warmed up the meat and served it."
Yu Jung-sun grumbled as he put down the braised ribs. Yu Jung-ak lightly grabbed the back of Yu Jung-sun's neck.
"Ah... Okay, I get it."
Subdued in an instant. Though Yu Jung-sun was taller than Yu Jung-ak, he was no match for him. In the end, Yu Jung-sun was half-forced to eat Cho Yong-hee's food with gusto before retreating to his room.
"Don't you ever get tired of training?"
Cho Yong-hee asked while drinking coffee. Yu Jung-ak was lying on the sofa, fiddling with the remote control.
"It's a different kind of fun from wrestling. Learning striking from uncle is fun too."
"Sigh. What's the use of me saying anything? How did I end up with a son exactly like that man?"
Cho Yong-hee let out a big sigh.
"Heh. But hasn't Dad contacted you?"
"He has."
"What did he say?"
"He says he's sorry."
"What, aren't you going to divorce? Isn't that grounds for divorce at this point?"
"Where did you hear about things like that?"
"The internet."
"That's an issue for your father and me to resolve. Don't worry about it and just focus on doing well in your career. Since you've started, do well. The elders in the family are worried sick."
"What are they saying?"
"They're asking why you're doing such a dangerous sport out of all the sports out there."
"Wasn't wrestling the same?"
"At least you don't get beat up in that one."
"I don't get hit much."
"Since you won't listen anyway, I won't tell you to do this or that. Just don't get hurt and do well. Got it?"
"Yes."
Yu Jung-ak spent some rare time with his family at home.
And at the end of November.
An offer came in from Spirit FC to Yoon Chang-seon.
"Yes, I understand. I'll discuss it with the fighter and get back to you." Yoon Chang-seon hung up the phone and called Cho Yong-il first. Soon after, Yu Jung-ak and the coaching staff were gathered.
"Who is it?"
"Crazy Go."
"Crazy Go?"
"Go Kyung-hee, you idiot."
"Ah. The fighter who lost to the champ in the title fight?"
"Yes."
"He was short and had a short reach, right?"
"That's right. He's short and has a short reach. But don't you know that such a fighter had a 5-win streak before slipping in the title fight?"
Yoon Chang-seon said, looking at Yu Jung-ak.
"Is that so?"
"He's strong. In terms of physical matchup, it's not great. Height 173cm. He's small enough to compete in featherweight or bantamweight. But he fights in lightweight. And he wins most of the time. What do you think this means?"
"That he's that strong?"
"Exactly."
"Jung-ak. You need to be on your guard. Kyung-hee hyung is really tough."
Oh Jung-ryong said, leaning back in his chair.
"But his name sounds a bit feminine."
"Haha. It does, but he's no joke. He's a born fighter. He's rivals with the current lightweight champ Kwon Cheol, and they've fought twice before."
"Who won then?"
"Kyung-hee hyung won both times. By KO."
"So Kwon Cheol got his revenge this time?"
"But there was some controversy in this fight too. He lost by TKO due to an elbow cut. Their skills were evenly matched. Of course, Kwon Cheol was ahead in effective strikes and flow of the fight."
"Hmm... So we're taking the fight?"
"You need to be tense and practice. Go Kyung-hee is not an easy opponent. Coach, we need to change the striking training from now on."
Yoon Chang-seon asked Cho Yong-il.
"We should. But I just remembered, didn't Go Kyung-hee fight someone with a similar physique to Jung-ak before?"
"Right. There was someone like that. Was it Oha Matsuri?"
Yoon Chang-seon immediately searched for Oha Matsuri. He did have a similar build to Yu Jung-ak. But he was a bit smaller. Height 183cm, reach wasn't listed, but he looked to have at least 185cm.
In contrast, Go Kyung-hee was short with a short reach. He didn't even have particularly good footwork. But the fight result was Go Kyung-hee's victory.
Was he a wrestler type who overwhelmed with strong power? Not that either. The fight ended in the first round.
Throughout the round, Oha Matsuri peppered Go Kyung-hee with jabs and left kicks from a distance, while Go Kyung-hee advanced while taking hits.
The same pattern.
Go Kyung-hee hadn't landed a clean hit on Oha Matsuri for the entire first round. Most of his punches were blocked by guards or missed. He didn't attempt takedowns either. Go Kyung-hee's face and body were turning red.
Still, Go Kyung-hee kept advancing. And the reversal happened at the end of the round.
Go Kyung-hee, who had been getting hit the whole time, landed a punch that coincided with the timing of Oha Matsuri's middle kick. Then Go Kyung-hee went straight in for a brawl. Oha Matsuri threw attacks while backing up, but Go Kyung-hee ignored them.
Then came a left hook. Oha Matsuri fell straight down.
"Wow."
"See? He's a born in-fighter."
"His punching power is incredible."
"Is that all that's incredible? Look at his body rotation. Doesn't it remind you of prime Wanderlei Silva's winging hooks? He used to be rougher than that, but after military service and gaining experience, he's become cleaner."
"Above all, why is his chin like that?"
"His chin is incredible too. Even in the title fight with Kwon Cheol, he got cut by an elbow early in the first round but fought until the third round. He's the type that gets more aggressive when he sees blood."
"Yu Jung-ak. Be on guard. For you, Kyung-hee hyung could be an even trickier opponent than Gal Seung-hyun or the champ."
"Theoretically, I have the advantage..."
"The opponent is a fighter who has overcome all those disadvantages and survived. He's only 31 now, but he takes good care of his body so his stamina is good too. How about it? Feeling tense?"
"I am tense. But it seems like it'll be fun. I'm also curious if his punches are really that strong."
When Yu Jung-ak said this, Yoon Chang-seon and Oh Jung-ryong smirked.
"You'll think differently once you get hit. You know that Oha Matsuri who just got knocked down?"
"Yes."
"In his over 20 fights, he had never been KO'd even once. He was born with a good chin. But he got caught by Go Kyung-hee and was out in the first round. Do you know what this means?"
"Wow... I'm envious. That kind of punching power. It means no matter how much you get hit, you can reverse the fight with one punch, right?"
"Only if it lands properly. Anyway, among officials, Go Kyung-hee's punching power is rumored to be almost at sledgehammer level. In the early days of MMA in Korea, he even fought in heavyweight by bulking up with that frame. Though it was a kickboxing match."
"Kyung-hee hyung's punching power is top-notch. And he knows well how to handle bigger opponents."
"Stop scaring me and tell me how to prepare."
"I have some ideas for now."
"What are they?"
"An easy plan but with little results. A difficult plan but with potential for big growth. I've thought of two options for now."
Yoon Chang-seon smiled at Yu Jung-ak.