Yoon Ji-yun, who had returned from an outing, completed her training without getting distracted. Yu Jung-ak was not neglecting Ji-yun's management and was carrying out intensive training. This competition wasn't a mixed martial arts event, but a stand-up fighting tournament. Naturally, the preparation had to be different.
Some might think that stand-up fighting is just mixed martial arts without ground fighting, but it wasn't that simple to compare the two.
As mentioned before, mixed martial arts and stand-up fighting use different gloves. Moreover, mixed martial arts competitions take place in a wide octagon, while stand-up fighting occurs in a square ring. The ring is narrower than the octagon. Consequently, there's more emphasis on close-quarters combat using guards and weaving rather than footwork and distance management.
Of course, this doesn't mean that styles utilizing footwork don't appear in the ring, but relatively speaking, there's less space to utilize footwork compared to the octagon. That's why the use of guards was more important than one might think. The thick gloves in stand-up fighting were both excellent offensive weapons and defensive tools.
"The training will be ending soon. Is there a movie you want to watch? I'll treat you to a movie and dinner on the last day," Ji-yun said after finishing her weight training. Yu Jung-ak was spotting Ji-yun to prevent injuries during weight training.
"That might be difficult at that time. I have a fight scheduled," Jung-ak replied.
"A fight?" Ji-yun asked with a puzzled expression.
"Did you not know what I do for a living?"
"Aren't you a trainer?"
"How did you know my age?"
"The manager unni said you were a year younger than me. That's all I knew."
"I do MMA."
"What kind of exercise is MMA?"
"Mixed Martial Arts."
"Mixed Martial Arts? You mean that thing where they fight in a cage? CFC?"
"Yes, something like that. But the competition I'm entering this time is stand-up fighting."
Not many women in South Korea knew about combat sports. Although its recognition was increasing worldwide, its popularity in Korea wasn't very high yet. Even if a fighter's name topped the real-time search rankings, it didn't necessarily mean they were widely recognized. Unless they frequently appeared on public broadcast, topping the search rankings once or twice didn't suddenly make them recognizable to just anyone.
"I had no idea. That you did that kind of sport..."
"Well, I'm quite fit, aren't I?"
"I just thought you worked out a lot."
"Anyway, because of the fight, I won't be able to see you for a while."
"When is the fight?"
"It's in 5 weeks. You finish next week, right?"
"Can I come watch the fight?"
"If you're not interested in MMA, it might not be fun for you."
"I think it'll be interesting."
"Then I'll give you tickets. Come with the manager. You can bring your boyfriend too."
"Ah... okay. I understand."
Ji-yun's expression showed a slight disappointment, but Jung-ak didn't notice why she made such a face.
Recently, Ji-yun had been doing body correction exercises like yoga and Pilates from lunchtime onwards. Her weight was 51kg. Although she hadn't reached her target weight, the agency said it was fine. She already looked slimmer and fitter due to exercise, so she didn't appear overweight at all.
A few days ago, she went to the agency for a camera test, and they said she didn't look puffy on screen at all. So the agency decided there was no need to lose weight excessively. Yu Jung-ak agreed with this decision.
Unlike her face, Ji-yun had a glamorous body type, so it was better to focus on toning her body rather than losing weight drastically. So Ji-yun only completed her morning schedule and exercised moderately from lunchtime. From Jung-ak's perspective, this was a good thing. He could focus entirely on training from the afternoon.
Rumsak Noi was dedicating himself to Yu Jung-ak's training without taking days off. Since Rumsak was acting as a dedicated trainer for Jung-ak, Jung-ak and Cho Yong-il decided to give him a cut of the fight money.
They decided to keep the existing trainers' shares intact and take the cut from Jung-ak and Yong-il's shares. Rumsak was really grateful for this decision and was genuinely trying to make Jung-ak the champion.
The problem was that due to the large prize money of 100 million won, the opponents coming out were not to be taken lightly.
"I'm the only MMA fighter in this tournament. Won't people talk? It seems like you pulled some strings, sir..." Jung-ak called Bang Yong-pal 'sir'.
"Boy, do I look like that kind of person to you? I wouldn't do that even for my own disciple."
"But it's strange, isn't it? Everyone else is from a stand-up fighting background, and I'm the only one from MMA. It feels like I'm taking a spot from a stand-up fighter..."
"Before worrying about others' rice bowls, worry about your own. You're unemployed after being released from Spirit, what are you complaining about? And there's a reason why other fighters aren't participating despite the large prize money."
"What is it?"
"There's a rumor that this tournament is being held to push one particular fighter."
"So, like last time, will the judges be biased?"
"It's not like that. It's just that the hope of Korean stand-up fighting is participating in this tournament. His name is Jang Hyun-sung, and he's an amazing fighter who even had a match with Buakaw that went to decision."
"Why are you telling me this now!"
"I told you it's for the experience. You said you didn't care about winning or losing."
"But Rumsak is expecting me to win..."
"Boy, Rumsak knows too. He's seen Hyun-sung's videos."
"What did he say?"
"He told me not to show them to you."
Jang Hyun-sung's skills were that exceptional. Jung-ak finally realized why he, an MMA fighter, was able to enter this large tournament with a 100 million won prize. When it was announced that Hyun-sung was participating, everyone else refused to participate.
"But it's not hopeless. In a single match, your chances of beating Hyun-sung in stand-up fighting are almost zero. But this is a one-day tournament. You have to fight three matches in one day."
"That's if I win. What if I meet Hyun-sung in the first match?"
"Why is the great Yu Jung-ak so scared?"
"It's my first time in stand-up, that's why."
"Boy, I went and drew lots for the bracket today. You and Hyun-sung are at opposite ends. You'll only meet him in the finals if you both make it. So practice well. And lose weight in advance. Stamina is key in a one-day tournament."
"I'm already hitting the mitts like crazy. I'm worried I might damage my knee cartilage at this rate."
"You won't, boy. Do you know how much Thai Muay Thai fighters train? They say they kick 1000 times a day from a young age."
"That's why they all retire in their early to mid-20s."
"I'm not making you train that recklessly. Don't worry and just do it. Rumsak and I exchange opinions every day."
"By the way, where does Rumsak go every evening?"
"It seems like we really got a lucky charm for our team. Rumsak is really diligent and a good person. That guy goes to Korean language school every evening. He asked me to teach him how to take the bus, so I decided to support his taxi fare."
"Wow."
"Treat him well. Don't you feel anything seeing him work so hard when his family is all in Thailand?"
"Everyone in the team likes Rumsak."
"Yeah. I'm thinking of buying him a car soon. I'm also planning to send him to driving school."
"That's great. It'll be convenient in many ways."
"So prepare well. Ji-yun's training is ending soon, right?"
"Yes. I'll go hit the sandbag some more."
"I meant do well usually, not right now."
"Yes, sir!"
After 8 weeks of training, Ji-yun left the center looking much prettier than before. She said she would come to cheer at the fight, and Jung-ak said he would send her tickets. After Ji-yun left, Jung-ak started training even harder.
The weight cut was going smoothly, and there were almost no minor injuries. Combat sports athletes always carry minor injuries. Jung-ak wasn't free from minor injuries either, but he had far fewer injuries compared to other athletes.
The reason was that he didn't neglect body management even during the off-season. Moreover, because he didn't overwork himself, the risk of injury was much lower. About half of the injuries in athletes occur due to overworking.
The desire to do better, to become stronger, leads to more intensive training, which directly results in injuries.
"Did you weigh yourself?" Cho Yong-il asked Jung-ak as he returned from his morning run.
"Yes. 6.5."
"The fight is still quite far away. Didn't you cut too fast?"
"You said stamina is life in a tournament. To build stamina for 9 rounds, it's better to cut weight early. I'm reducing my food intake."
"Don't cut too much, do it slowly. Is size your only advantage in this fight?"
"Are you trying to discourage me?"
"Muay Thai techniques can't be perfected in a short time. Use them for pressure and rely on your specialty."
"Punches?"
"Counter-punches."
"That won't be easy, will it? I watched stand-up fights, and the exchanges at close range are no joke."
"Keep your guard tight and look for opportunities."
"I'm working hard with Rumsak, so don't worry. But why are you here so early in the morning?"
"I slept here last night."
"Huh? Why?"
"The rooftop construction is in its final stages."
"What are you doing on the rooftop?"
"Boy, we're building a swimming pool on the rooftop."
"A swimming pool? Why?"
Yu Jung-ak asked, blinking his eyes.
"Leave it. Why would I joke with you? The rooftop waterproofing construction was urgent, so I asked a company to do it."
"Ah."
"By the way, what's Cheong-ryong doing these days?"
"He went on a trip because there's nothing for him to touch up in this fight. I heard he got a girlfriend recently and he's going crazy."
"I was wondering why I haven't seen him lately. That guy is too into it, it's not good."
"Why?"
"No. A fight offer came in, but if he's that into it, there's no point in bringing it up."
"Didn't he retire?"
"He's not even 60, how can he retire?"
"Then give him a call. He'll be happy if you tell him about the fight. But is there a place that will use Jung-ryong? Spirit won't call him at all."
"There is. Best FC."
"You mean the tournament held by the Korean Best Team? Will they use him? They know the relationship with Spirit, don't they?"
"They're not on good terms with Spirit."
The Korean Best Team has been regarded as the best MMA team in Korea for a very long time. They've produced many fighters for CFC, so they could be called one of the best prestigious teams in Korea. The representative of Korean Best created a fighting organization called Best FC a few years ago and has been running it.
Although smaller in scale than Spirit, it had many strong fighters, so it could be said to be a promising organization.
"So it doesn't matter if they use him?"
"Well, Cheong-ryong has fought for the title in Spirit, so he has recognition and skills. They want to give it a try."
"Is Jung-ryong's injury okay? Wasn't it quite serious?"
"He received clearance from the hospital to exercise a long time ago. Pay some attention."
"How can I pay attention if you don't tell me anything?"
"Anyway, let me know if you see him."
"Uncle. I mean, boss. Just call him directly. Why are you like this when it only takes one phone call?"
"If he shows up while the offer is still valid, I'll give it to him. If he doesn't show up, that's it. Why should I call? Let him enjoy his life."
Cho Yong-il said that and went into the center. Yu Jung-ak stretched while moving his body.
Jung-ak did his stretching thoroughly. He does it before running and after running. He had never skipped it even once. This habit was possible because Jung-ak's father had strictly taught him from a young age.
Although Jung-ak was only in his second year of MMA career, his sports career was much longer than that.
If you think about it, Jung-ak could be called an elite athlete. So he couldn't help but be more thorough in these aspects.
The fog that had set in early in the morning began to clear after a while. Jung-ak looked at the sky while stretching his neck and waist. The clear air made him feel refreshed. Jung-ak checked the time on his watch.
He doesn't carry his smartphone separately when running. It's quite heavy and interferes with exercise. Instead, Jung-ak wore a smartwatch. The smartwatch was excellent for adjusting exercise intensity because it also measures heart rate.
You could tell whether the exercise intensity was too low or too high by measuring the heart rate. In the past, athletes had to measure it directly with their hands using a watch, but nowadays, even athletes could do it themselves without the help of a trainer with just a smartwatch.
The time was 7 AM.
Even the athletes didn't come out at this time. Rumsak Noi only came around 9 AM. As a trainer, he had no reason to start his day as early as an athlete. If it were an athlete who couldn't manage themselves, the trainer would have to stick with them and force them to exercise, but Jung-ak wasn't that kind of athlete. Jung-ak knew better than anyone who would suffer if he neglected exercise. So even without a trainer, Jung-ak trained well by himself.
As Jung-ak was about to enter the building, a car entered the parking lot. It was clearly a newly purchased car. Jung-ak looked into the car wondering who it was, and it was an unexpected person.
The car owner was Angela.
"You..."
"Senior! I bought a car!"
"Right. But it's not 'you', it's 'I'."
"Yes. I bought a car. Senior."
"Congratulations. But why are you here so early?"
"There's a jiu-jitsu seminar at lunch. It's an ADCC champion seminar, so I couldn't miss it. I came early to train."
"You didn't come to show off your car?"
"Maybe a little?"
Angela said with a bright smile.
"Have you eaten?"
"No."
"Let's go eat then."
"Okay!"
Angela answered energetically. Jung-ak entered the center's cafeteria and naturally greeted the cafeteria staff. The cafeteria had to be open early in the morning because there were not only staff but also members at the center.
Jung-ak avoided foods with high water content like soup and chose a balanced meal. Looking at his choices, there were foods like sweet potatoes, eggs, meat, and salad. Angela brought rye bread, soup, peanut butter, and grape jam.
As it wasn't the season, Angela could eat whatever she wanted freely. After taking a bite of her bread, Angela looked at Jung-ak and smiled broadly.
"Why are you smiling so stupidly?"
"Just because."
"By the way, what's ADCC?"
"Oh. It's a jiu-jitsu competition."
"Is it like Mundials?"
"It stands for Abu Dhabi Combat Club. It's a no-gi jiu-jitsu competition."
Jiu-jitsu is largely divided into gi and no-gi. Simply put, gi is a competition where you wear a jiu-jitsu uniform, and no-gi is a competition where you don't wear a uniform.
"No-gi? So you do it without clothes?"
"No, we still wear clothes. Just not the gi."
"I know, boy. Who do you think I am, a fool?"
When Jung-ak teased her, Angela smiled again. She was always a cheerful kid.