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UFC’s ‘Korean Superboy’ hell-bent on a resurgence after four years of trials and tribulations

  • Choi Doo-ho reveals he considered retiring following TKO by Charles Jourdain in December 2019
  • With injuries and mandatory military service behind him, Choi vows to claw his way into featherweight rankings, starting with UFC return against Danny Chavez

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Choi Doo-ho of South Korea poses for a portrait backstage after his victory over Thiago Tavares at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 8, 2016, in Las Vegas. Photo: Todd Lussier/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Choi Doo-ho has promised a resurgence after four years of trials and tribulations – and plans to go all the way to the top of the featherweight division.

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“The Korean Superboy” (14-4) – one of South Korea’s most exciting fighters – will make his long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon on July 31 in Las Vegas against Danny Chavez (11-4) in a clash that is likely to produce fireworks. 

“My opponent is an explosive striker so I think there’ll be another explosive fight,” Choi told SCMP MMA. “But I’m gonna be out there to prove I’m a better striker.

“I don’t know if this will be a perfect match-up for me for my comeback fight, but what I do know is this will be entertaining because it’s a striker versus striker match-up. So we’ll be fighting toe-to-toe. This fight will live up to the expectations of the fans, for sure.”

The 30-year-old Daegu native began his UFC journey in 2014 and skyrocketed into the rankings after three straight first-round finishes. But he has since lost his last three outings, while combating injuries and doing mandatory military service. 

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Choi even contemplated walking away from the sport after his last outing against Charles Jourdain at UFC Busan in late 2019. He entered that contest without a training camp because of a serious knee injury, and suffered a broken arm during one of the early exchanges, with “Air” Jourdain taking a second-round stoppage. 

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