Kim Dong-hyun (Korean: 김동현; born November 17, 1981), anglicized as Dong Hyun Kim, is a South Korean retired mixed martial artist who most notably fought in the UFC's welterweight division. He was signed by the UFC after fighting in the Japanese promotion DEEP and in the South Korean promotion Spirit MC.
Kim was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[citation needed] He is of the Gimhae Kim clan.[6] He moved to Daejeon when he was a primary school student, where he was an inline speed skater. He began training in Judo when he was 14 years old, and trained in Taekwondo and Hapkido together in his late teens for his interest in martial arts. And later Kim began to practice Judo professionally at Yong-In University, which led him to reignite his MMA career.[7] Kim began training at Wajyutsu Keisyukai, a renowned Japanese gym frequented by a number of top Japanese fighters. As one of the largest members of the gym, Kim became a regular sparring partner of middleweight Yushin Okami.[7] At this time he competed in Sambo. He served in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps in 2001 for his mandatory service. Later he became a fighter for Spirit MC, but declared his retirement in 2004 due to economic reasons. He mentioned during Law of the Jungle that before spending four months in Auckland, New Zealand working in 3 concurrent part-time roles (kitchenhand and sashimi chef/poissonnier, bricklayer and construction labourer). His job situation never improved upon returning to Korea, until his parents finally allowed him to train again. He trains with Busan Team MAD since 2007.[8] He teaches self defence classes. One of his students include Hani of Korean girl group EXID.
Career
Filmography
He is also a regular guest in Korean variety shows and talk shows. He has attended more than seventy TV shows since 2010. On June 16, 2013, he featured as the 'Hulk' on Running Man episode 150 (SBS Sunday night show). On this episode he led the character that transformed to Hulk mode in Running Man Avengers. On March 22, 2015, Kim reappeared on Running Man in episode 239 as a guest. Kim was also featured along with fellow UFC fighter Yoshihiro Akiyama in the Korean boy band MYNAME's drama music video for their single "Baby I'm Sorry". On June 26, 2016, Kim returned as a guest on Running Man in episode 305. Kim is regular cast member of Great Escape Season 1 of 2018 and Season 2 of 2019. In 2019, he guest-starred on Not the Person You Used To Know, where he appeared as one of the friends of Hani of EXID.
In September, 2018, he announced his marriage to Song Ha-ryul in various variety shows,[9] then revealed her pregnancy on the February 14, 2019, episode of Amazing Saturday.[10]
Early career
Kim gained recognition after signing with the Japanese DEEP organization, earning a succession of wins before knocking out DEEP welterweight champion Hidehiko Hasegawa in a non-title bout in 2007. Kim and Hasegawa later fought to a controversial draw in a title fight at DEEP 32nd Impact, leaving defending champion Hasegawa with the title. Kim departed from DEEP to sign a contract with PRIDE Fighting Championships, but the UFC purchased and dismantled PRIDE before Kim could fight in the organization. Kim's performances attracted the attention of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) talent scouts, who offered him a contract. However, because the WEC is not televised in Korea, Kim's management pushed for and received a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which airs on Korean cable television.
Kim's original nickname is "Stun Gun", then a lot of Korean fans started calling him "Maemi", which means Cicada in Korean. The nickname was given to Kim from his fighting style where he likes to take his opponents to the ground, grapple with them and never let them escape like a Cicada on a tree.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kim made his UFC debut at UFC 84 against Jason Tan, methodically breaking down his opponent and ultimately winning by technical knockout in the third round. With his performance, Kim became the first Korean to win in the octagon.[11] Kim's appearance drew considerable attention in Korea. One week before the event, a prime time, hour-long special about Kim was aired on Korean television. Though Kim's bout did not air on the UFC pay-per-view, it aired live on Korean television, and was then replayed twice more before the regular event coverage resumed.[12]
He made his second octagon appearance at UFC 88, capturing a split decision over The Ultimate Fighter 7 alumnus Matt Brown. During this fight, Kim's conditioning was very poor due to jet lag, and visa problems prevented him from bringing a coach. In the first round, Kim threatened Brown with a standing rear-naked choke and took Brown's back on numerous occasions but became exhausted in the second. In the third, Kim used some effective ground-and-pound and cut Brown with an elbow. All three judges scored the bout 29–28, two in Kim's favor and one in Brown's favor. The decision was contested by the crowd in attendance with noticeable booing.[13]
Kim returned to the octagon in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31, 2009, as he faced off against fellow judo practitioner Karo Parisyan at UFC 94. With Frank Mir in his corner who served as his boxing coach prior to the fight.[14] Kim originally lost to Parisyan via split decision. Fans in attendance booed the decision, and former UFC champions Matt Hughes,[15]Randy Couture[16] and UFC president Dana White[17] have commented that they thought Kim had won the fight. Afterwards, however, Parisyan tested positive for three banned pain killers: Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone and Oxymorphone.[18][19] The Nevada Athletic Commission declared the match a No Contest, and Parisyan was suspended for nine months.[20] Later on March 5, 2009, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[21]
Kim defeated T. J. Grant at UFC 100, winning by a unanimous decision, threatening with a guillotine choke midway through the second round. He was scheduled to fight Dan Hardy on November 14, 2009, at UFC 105, but was forced to withdraw due to ligament injuries of his right knee while sparring with Kazuhiro Nakamura[22] and was subsequently replaced on the card by Mike Swick.[citation needed]
Kim was expected to face Chris Lytle on February 21, 2010, at UFC 110.[23] However, Kim was forced off the card after suffering knee injury again.[24]Brian Foster stepped in as his replacement.
Kim next faced The Ultimate Fighter season 7 winner, Amir Sadollah on May 29, 2010, at UFC 114 and won via unanimous decision, dominating Sadollah with far superior judo.
Kim was then expected to face fellow undefeated fighter John Hathaway at UFC 120,[25] though he was later replaced by Mike Pyle due to elbow ligament injury from training.[26]
Kim defeated The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner, Nate Diaz on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125 via unanimous decision.[27] Kim used his judo to control rounds 1 and 2. Diaz mounted a remarkable offense in Round 3, but it was not enough and Kim won a decision over Diaz. After the fight Kim called out current UFC welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre, whom he considers a hero and role model to himself as a mixed martial artist. Later on January 10, 2011, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[28]
Kim lost to Carlos Condit on July 2, 2011, at UFC 132 via first-round KO due to a flying knee.[29] This loss was the first of his professional MMA career.
Kim fought Sean Pierson on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141.[30] Kim used superior striking to control Pierson throughout the fight and win a unanimous decision, even landing a leaping front-kick to the face in the second round that wobbled Pierson.[31]
Kim lost to Demian Maia via TKO on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148.[32] The bout was stopped in forty-seven seconds in the first round by referee Mario Yamasaki, after Maia took Kim down and ended up in the mounted position. Many observers, including the UFC commentator Joe Rogan, thought that Kim had broken a rib during the bout, but it was later revealed that he suffered a major muscle spasm while defending Maia's takedown attempts.[33]
Kim faced Paulo Thiago on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[34] He dominated Thiago on the ground for all three rounds, ending the bout with a wild display of ground and pound reminiscent of Kazushi Sakuraba. He won via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, and 30–27).[35]
Kim then faced Erick Silva on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.[38] He won via knockout at 3:01 of the second round, earning him his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[39][40] Later on October 30, 2013, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[41]
Kim faced Josh Burkman on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187.[48] Kim won the fight via submission in the third round.[49]
Kim was expected to face Jorge Masvidal on November 28, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 79.[50] However, on November 14, it was announced that Masvidal would instead face Benson Henderson at the event after his scheduled opponent Thiago Alves pulled out of their fight.[51] Kim instead faced Dominic Waters.[52] Kim won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[53]
Kim was expected to face Neil Magny on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202.[54] However, Kim was removed from the fight on July 12 and was replaced by Lorenz Larkin.[55]
Kim was expected to face Gunnar Nelson on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 99.[56] However, on October 21, it was announced that Nelson pulled out due to an injury and the fight was off. In turn, Kim was removed from the card and will be rescheduled for a future event.[57]
^Jeon Hyo-jin (April 28, 2021). "'랜선장터' 장윤정·안정환·홍현희·김동현, MC 발탁…6월 첫방송 [공식]" [Lan Boat Market' Jang Yoon-jung, Ahn Jung-hwan, Hong Hyun-hee, Kim Dong-hyun, MCs selected... First broadcast in June [Official]] (in Korean). Sports donga. Retrieved April 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ha Ji-won (September 14, 2021). "김동현 "인문학 메인 MC? 진행 공부 안 했는데…" (똑똑해짐)" [Donghyun Kim "Humanities main MC? I didn't study for the show..." (Becoming smarter)]. xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved September 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang Jin-ri (October 8, 2021). "김동현·에이전트H, 강한 남자 통했다…'더 스트롱맨2', 9일 첫 방송" [Kim Dong-hyun, Agent H, a strong man... 'The Strongman 2' premieres on the 9th]. Spotify News (in Korean). Retrieved October 8, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ha Su-jeong (October 29, 2021). "김용만x김숙x김동현x박지선, 新토크쇼 '호구들의 비밀과외' 확정 [공식]" [Kim Yong-man x Kim Sook x Kim Dong-hyun x Park Ji-sun, New Talk Show 'Secret Tutoring for Hogu' Confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Yang So-young (December 8, 2021). "김숙 붐 김동현 '슈퍼히어로' 11일 첫방…안전 꿀팁 대방출" [Kim Sook Boom Kim Dong-hyun 'Superhero' premieres on the 11th... Safety tips released] (in Korean). Maeil Business Star Today. Retrieved December 8, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim Hye-jeong (January 20, 2022). "김동현×홍현희×김민아 '국대는 국대다' MC 발탁 [공식]" [Kim Dong-hyun × Hong Hyun-hee × Kim Min-ah 'National University is National University' MC Selection [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang Hye-jin (February 10, 2022). "김성주 김희철→아이브 안유진 '강철부대2' MC 라인업 확정" [Kim Seong-joo Kim Hee-cheol → Ive Ahn Yu-jin 'Steel Troop 2' MC lineup confirmed] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Pan-seok (April 6, 2022). "'벌거벗은 한국사' 최태성X장예원X김동현X조나단, 이번엔 한국사 벗긴다" ['Naked Korean History' Choi Tae-Sung X Jang Ye-Won X Kim Dong-Hyeon X Jonathan, this time, Korean history is stripped away] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Da-hee (April 12, 2022). "김동현, 붕어빵 남매와 '슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다' 합류 [공식]" [Kim Dong-hyun joins 'The Return of Superman' with the Bungeoppang Siblings [Official]] (in Korean). spoTV News. Retrieved April 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Jin-ri (August 1, 2022). "'강철부대' 세계관 확장된다…시즌1-2 컬래버 '강철볼', 8월 론칭" [The worldview of 'Steel Force' expands... Season 1-2 collaboration 'Steel Ball', launched in August] (in Korean). spoTV News. Retrieved August 1, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang, Da-hee (September 2, 2022). "서장훈-전현무, KBS 추석특집 '스포츠 골든벨' MC 호흡" [Seo Jang-hoon and Jeon Hyun-moo, MCs for KBS Chuseok Special 'Sports Golden Bell'] (in Korean). spoTV News. Retrieved September 2, 2022 – via Naver.
^Shin Young-eun (September 7, 2022). "'씨름의 제왕' 김동현·모태범·줄리엔 강·최영재·황충원 합류…10월 18일 첫방송" ['The King of Wrestling' Kim Dong-hyun, Mo Tae-beom, Julien Kang, Choi Young-jae, Hwang Chung-won join... First broadcast on October 18th] (in Korean). Meil business. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Seon-ae (December 6, 2022). "'섹시매미' 추성훈·김동현vs'슈퍼좀비' 정찬성·최두호…'순정파이터', 팀 포스터 공개" ['Sexy Cicada' Choo Sung-hoon and Kim Dong-hyun vs 'Super Zombie' Jung Chan-seong and Choi Doo-ho... 'Pure Fighter' team poster released] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Da-yun (January 2, 2023). "'내친나똑' 전현무 MC 발탁→조세호·코드쿤스트·김동현 출격 [공식]" [Selected MC Jeon Hyun-moo for 'My Chin-na-tok'→Jo Se-ho, Code Kunst, and Kim Dong-hyun sortie [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved January 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^"'천하제일장사2' 조진형·남경진·모태범, 인터뷰…조진형 "피지컬팀 마선호·김경진, 우승 확률 50%" [Interview with Cho Jin-hyung, Nam Kyung-jin, and Mo Tae-beom of 'The First Merchant 2' Cho Jin-hyung “Physical team Ma Seon-ho and Kim Kyung-jin, 50% chance of winning”] (in Korean). Channel A. March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^Shin Young-eun (September 6, 2024). "'무쇠소녀단' 진서연·유이·설인아·박주현, 철인으로 거듭나라" ['Iron Girls' Jin Seo-yeon, Uee, Seol In-ah, and Park Joo-hyun, Transform into Iron Women]. MK News (in Korean). Retrieved August 12, 2024.