Two European Judoka in MMA to Keep an Eye On

2009-05-17T14:06:00.004-04:00

Mark Lajhner is a Serbian Judoka with a 5-0 record in MMA at 185 lbs. Mark has won a national championship in Judo, and successfully competes in freestyle wrestling tournaments. A video of Mark fighting MMA can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNOBALxHsH8
And a video of Mark using an ouchi gari to win a match in the Serbian freestyle wrestling championships can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJhMgX6lWos

Maro Perak is a Croatian Judoka with a 12-1-1 MMA record. Maro has placed in multiple Judo national championship tournaments in Croatia, and is now fousing on an MMA career at 205 lbs. A highlight of Maro's MMA career can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlUQ7RoD4mI

Robert LaLonde MMA Highlight Video

2008-01-15T18:20:00.000-05:00

Robert LaLonde is a French-Canadian Judoka who fought in the International Fighting Championships in 1997. This was at a time when MMA was still new in the United States, and as such fewer rules were required. This can be seen in the video with headbutts and grabbing the cage being legal. You can read more about LaLonde's Judo and MMA past in his interview linked on the main page.

Bu-Kyung Jung Impressive In Debut

2008-01-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

01/01/2008
Judomma.com

South Korean Judoka Bu-Kyung Jung, Olympic Silver Medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, made an impressive debut in Mixed Martial Arts competition on New Year’s Eve. Faced with the difficult task of fighting the top ranked grappling wizard Shinya Aoki at the FEG and M-1 sponsored Yarennoka! Event, Jung put forth an exciting display of skill and determination.

From the fight’s opening minutes Jung looked comfortable on his feet. A few soft shots landed for each fighter before they clinched. Instead of working for a throw or sweep Jung immediately pulled guard. Jung quickly worked an arm bar on a surprised Aoki. Now standing, Aoki slowly managed to escape the deep arm bar attempt. In Jung’s butterfly guard Aoki landed some light ground and pound punches before falling back for a foot lock. Jung defended well, and this continued throughout the first part of the round. Jung retained full guard and attempted another arm bar on Aoki. Jung clamped the arm and rolled Aoki to his back. On top, Jung fought to pry Aoki’s hands apart. Jung finally managed to do so however as it happened Aoki narrowly slipped out. This was a tight attempt that Aoki said would have submitted most fighters in his post-fight interview. The next few minutes contained more light ground and pound, and foot lock attempts from Aoki. Soon after both fighters were on their feet were Jung landed a right hand that knocked Aoki down. Aoki immediately went for a foot lock upon hitting the ground. The rest of the round went slowly as Aoki sat in Jung’s guard with little action taking place.

The second round started with Jung having a swollen right eye. This round was controlled by Aoki as he slowly worked his ground and pound game from inside Jung’s guard. Aoki landed a few illegal kicks to the head, and punches to the back of the head, with no objection from the referee. The round ended with Aoki in the mount position raining down light blows. Jung gave up his back allowing Aoki to attempt a rear naked choke, followed by an arm bar. Jung easily escaped both attempts as the round ended shortly thereafter with Aoki in control.

Aoki won via unanimous decision based on the Pride FC judging criteria. Jung came up just short in a hard fought fight. Although he lost the fight, Bu-Kyung Jung had nothing to be ashamed of.

Jung’s performance was one of MMA’s best debuts in recent years, especially when considering the fight circumstances. Jung has only been training MMA for 2 months. Although he prepared well at Yoon Dong-Sik’s TEAM YOON gym, two months is a very small amount of training before making an MMA debut. In addition to this Jung was only given a 1 week notice that he would be fighting. Aoki’s original opponent, Gesias Calvancante, had to pull out due to injury. This gave Jung a very short preparation period. On top of all this, Jung was given one of the top ranked lightweight and welterweight fighters. Aoki, a Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt with 14 MMA fights, was almost universally regarded as a top 5 ranked lightweight and top 15 ranked welterweight. Many consider Aoki to have the best submission game in each division, with the most dangerous guard. In addition to these obstacles Jung also had to overcome a size difference. In his international Judo career Jung weighed in at 132 lbs, and later 145 lbs. The majority of Aoki’s MMA fights have come at either 170 lbs or 160 lbs. Aoki also had a 4 inch height advantage, as well as a reach advantage. With all of these odds stacked up against him Jung should have lost an easy match. However this was not the case as he gave Aoki a tough fight.

Bu-Kyung Jung put forth a very impressive MMA debut. The main thing he needs is more hours spent training and sparring for MMA. His Judo game and ground game are top notch, so he has a very good base to work from. With hard work in the gym and good future match making Jung should develop into a top fighter soon.

© 2008 -- Judo MMA.

JudoMMA News and Opinion

Two European Judoka in MMA to Keep an Eye On

Robert LaLonde MMA Highlight Video

Bu-Kyung Jung Impressive In Debut