Chan Sung Jung: Underrated or Overrated?

May 28, 2014
Jason

Let’s take a look at the current ranking of Chan Sung Jung at various outlets:

Source Rank
MMA Weekly #6
Tapology #6
Sherdog #8
MMA Junkie #8
ESPN #9
MMA Madman #9
Fight Magazine #12
Fight Matrix #24

Now, I’m of the opinion that a top fighter must fight (and win) often enough to sustain such a lofty ranking.

 

If we go back to the start of 2010, we have the following results for Chan Sung Jung:

Years
Ago
Fighter Pre-Bout
Rank

(Approx)
Current
Rank
Result
0.82 Jose Aldo #1 FW #1 FW L(TKO)
2.03 Dustin Poirier #15 FW #9 FW W(TKO)
2.46 Mark Hominick #19 FW N/A W(KO)
3.17 Leonard Garcia #25 FW #102 FW W(SUB)
3.66 George Roop #80 FW #26 BW L(KO)
4.09 Leonard Garcia #21 FW #102 FW L(SD)

 

My observations:

  • In his last six fights, he is 3-3.
  • He hasn’t won in over 2 years.
  • He had just 1 fight in 2012, and 1 fight in 2013.
  • Except Poirier, all of his opponents have essentially held their rank level, dropped in division, declined, or retired since the respective bout.

On a positive note, CSJ put up a valiant effort against Aldo in his loss.  Furthermore, Poirier who he beat, now holds a Top 10 ranking, though it can definitely be argued that Poirier has improved since the aforementioned bout — looking at an opponent’s performance post-bout is not a part of the core rating system.

On results alone, perhaps a #24 ranking is a little harsh.  But given his spotty activity, I honestly don’t think it is very far off the mark.

 

 

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