Even Civilian Participant Shows Symptoms of Paralysis... ‘Chan Sung Jung’s ZFN’ Terminates Contract Over Kim Joong Woo Livestream Controversy

[Financial News] Mixed martial arts organization Z-FIGHT NIGHT (ZFN) has terminated its contract with fighter Kim Joong Woo after he applied a fighting technique to a civilian participant during an internet livestream, causing the participant to lose consciousness. ZFN was founded by Chan Sung Jung (The Korean Zombie).
ZFN posted a statement on its official channel on the 7th. The organization said, "We determined that the conduct of our fighter, which recently became controversial, violated the code-of-conduct obligations stipulated in the ZFN fighter contract," adding, "We hereby announce that we have terminated the fighter's contract effective today."
ZFN said it would apply the same standards to fighter management going forward. It added, "ZFN will continue to apply the same standards without exception to the words and actions of its fighters," and stated, "We hope the injured person makes a speedy recovery, and we apologize for causing concern among our fans."
The incident occurred at around 4 a.m. on the 6th during a YouTube livestream at an officetel in Cheongna-dong, Seo District, Incheon.
During the broadcast, Kim Joong Woo applied a guillotine choke, a fighting technique that compresses the neck, to a male participant in his 20s. The victim struck Kim Joong Woo's body with his hand to signal that he wanted him to stop, but Kim did not release the hold. The victim eventually lost consciousness and collapsed, hitting the back of his head hard against the floor in the process.
Even after the victim collapsed, Kim Joong Woo slapped him on both cheeks, laughed, and said, "Put him to sleep for a while." Kim later moved the victim to one side of the broadcast location with another participant, but the broadcast also showed that no immediate emergency measures were taken.
The victim did not regain consciousness for some time and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. He is reportedly showing symptoms of paralysis in parts of his body. Police booked Kim Joong Woo without detention on suspicion of causing injury and plan to investigate whether the other participants present at the scene were involved.

Previously, Kim Joong Woo competed as a wrestler before switching to mixed martial arts. On the 22nd of last month, he competed in a ZFN event operated by Chan Sung Jung and lost to CHANG JUN CHOI by TKO at 3 minutes and 31 seconds of the second round.
The incident occurred during Kim Joong Woo's personal broadcast, not at a ZFN event or during training.
Kim Joong Woo was reportedly previously involved with a violent criminal organization, which also sparked controversy when he was recruited. Following the incident, voices criticizing ZFN's fighter recruitment process and management responsibilities have grown louder.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter