Kang Kyung-ho

In this Korean name, the family name is Kang.
Kang Kyung-Ho
Kang Kyung-Ho on February 22, 2013.
Born (1987-09-09) September 9, 1987 (age 37)
Pusan, South Korea[1]
Native name강경호（姜京鎬）
Other namesMr. Perfect
Typhoon[2]
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight (2011–present)
Featherweight (2009–2011)
Lightweight (2007–2008)
Reach72 in (183 cm)[2]
StyleSsireum, BJJ, Taekwondo
Fighting out ofBusan, South Korea
TeamBusan Team M.A.D.
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Yang Sung-hoon[3]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total31
Wins19
By knockout2
By submission12
By decision5
Losses11
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision8
By disqualification1
No contests1
Other information
UniversityDong-Eui University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Korean name
Hangul
강경호 (姜京鎬）
Revised RomanizationGang Gyeong-ho
McCune–ReischauerKang Gyŏng-ho

Kang Kyung-ho (Korean: 강경호, born September 9, 1987), often anglicized Kyung Ho Kang, is a South Korean mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC's bantamweight division.

Background

Kang started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2006, proceeding rapidly to mixed martial arts.[1] He graduated from Dong-Eui University, majoring in physical education and physiology.[4]

Career

Kang started his professional career in 2007. He fought mainly for international promotions, such as Spirit Martial Challenge, Art of War and DEEP.

Road Fighting Championship

Kang faced Shoko Sato in the quarterfinal match of ROAD FC bantamweight tournament on March 24, 2012, at Road FC 7. He won via submission due to an armbar in the second round.[5][6]

In the semifinal on June 16, 2012, at Road FC 8, Kang faced Jae Hoon Moon. He won via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round. On the same day, Kang faced Andrew Leone in the final. Once again Kang won via submission due to a rear-naked choke in round two and was crowned the first-ever Road FC bantamweight champion.[7]

In July 2012, it was announced that Kang had signed a contract to compete in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kang was expected to face Alex Caceres on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le.[8] However, Kang was removed from the event due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Motonobu Tezuka.[9]

Kang/Caceres finally took place on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann.[10] Caceres originally won the fight via split decision, but the result was later changed to a no contest after Caceres tested positive for marijuana.[11]

Kang faced Chico Camus on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164.[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27).[13]

Kang faced Shunichi Shimizu on January 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim.[14] He won the fight via submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the third round.[15]

Kang was expected to face Chris Holdsworth on May 24, 2014, at UFC 173.[16] However, Kang pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Chico Camus.[17]

Kang faced Michinori Tanaka on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52.[18] He won the fight via split decision, and both fighters would earn Fight of the Night honors for their efforts.[19]

Kang put a hold on his career to serve his two-year commitment for mandatory South Korean military service.[20] In December 2017 he returned from hiatus to face Guido Cannetti on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi.[21] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[22]

Kang faced Ricardo Ramos on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227.[23] He lost the fight by split decision.[24]

Kang faced Teruto Ishihara on February 10, 2019, at UFC 234.[25] He won the fight via a submission in round one.[26]

Kang faced Brandon Davis on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241.[27] He won the fight via split decision.[28]

Kang faced Liu Pingyuan on December 21, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 23.[29] He won the fight via split decision.[30]

Kang was scheduled to face Rani Yahya on July 31, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 28.[31] However the bout was cancelled a few hours before happening due to Yahya testing positive for COVID-19.[32] The bout was ultimately rebooked to take place on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198.[33] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[34]

Kang was scheduled to face Saimon Oliveira on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275.[35] However, Oliveira withdrew from the event for unknown reasons and he was replaced by Danaa Batgerel.[36] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[37]

Kang faced Cristian Quiñonez on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47.[38] He won the bout in the first round, submitting Cristian via rear-naked choke in the first round after knocking him down with a punch.[39]

Kang was initially scheduled to face John Castañeda on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232.[40] However, the bout was shifted to take place one week earlier on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295.[41] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[42]

Kang faced Muin Gafurov on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[43] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[44]

On January 7, 2025, it was announced that Kang was released by the UFC.[45]

Personal life

Kang and his wife have a son (born 2022).[46]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
31 matches 19 wins 11 losses
By knockout 2 1
By submission 12 1
By decision 5 8
By disqualification 0 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 19–11 (1) Muin Gafurov Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov June 22, 2024 3 5:00 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Loss 19–10 (1) John Castañeda Decision (unanimous) UFC 295 November 11, 2023 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States Catchweight (138 lb) bout.
Win 19–9 (1) Cristian Quiñonez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Vettori vs. Cannonier June 17, 2023 1 2:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–9 (1) Danaa Batgerel Decision (unanimous) UFC 275 June 11, 2022 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 17–9 (1) Rani Yahya Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate November 20, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–8 (1) Liu Pingyuan Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie December 21, 2019 3 5:00 Busan, South Korea
Win 16–8 (1) Brandon Davis Decision (split) UFC 241 August 17, 2019 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 15–8 (1) Teruto Ishihara Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 234 February 10, 2019 1 3:59 Melbourne, Australia
Loss 14–8 (1) Ricardo Ramos Decision (split) UFC 227 August 4, 2018 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 14–7 (1) Guido Cannetti Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi January 14, 2018 1 4:53 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 13–7 (1) Michinori Tanaka Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson September 20, 2014 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Fight of the Night. Tanaka tested positive for banned substances
Win 12–7 (1) Shunichi Shimizu Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim January 4, 2014 3 3:53 Marina Bay, Singapore Kang was deducted two point in round 1 due to illegal elbows.
Loss 11–7 (1) Chico Camus Decision (unanimous) UFC 164 August 31, 2013 3 5:00 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
NC 11–6 (1) Alex Caceres NC (overturned) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann March 3, 2013 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Originally a split decision win for Caceres; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana.
Win 11–6 Andrew Leone Submission (rear-naked choke) Road FC 008 June 16, 2012 2 1:19 Wonju, South Korea Won the 2012 Road FC Bantamweight Tournament and the inaugural Road FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 10–6 Moon Jae-hoon Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 4:27 2012 Road FC Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 9–6 Shoko Sato Submission (armbar) Road FC 007 March 24, 2012 2 2:38 Seoul, South Korea 2012 Road FC Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 8–6 Andrew Leone Technical Decision (unanimous) Road FC 006 February 5, 2012 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
Win 8–5 Song Min-jung Submission (armbar) Road FC 005 December 3, 2011 1 4:55 Seoul, South Korea
Win 7–5 Lee Kil-woo TKO (corner stoppage) Road FC 003 July 24, 2011 1 0:52 Seoul, South Korea Bantamweight debut.
Loss 6–5 Kwon Bae-young Submission (triangle armbar) Road FC 002 April 16, 2011 1 4:05 Seoul, South Korea
Win 6–4 Kazutoshi Fujita Submission (rear-naked choke) Grachan 5 November 7, 2010 1 2:10 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 5–4 Munehiro Kin DQ (knee to downed opponent) Gladiator 11 October 9, 2010 1 4:56 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–3 Makoto Kamaya Submission (rear-naked choke) KOF: The Beginning of Legend April 24, 2010 3 4:19 Jinju, South Korea
Loss 4–3 Shigeki Osawa Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 12 March 7, 2010 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 4–2 Atsushi Yamamoto Decision (unanimous) Deep: Fan Thanksgiving Festival 2 November 10, 2009 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Catchweight (138 lb) bout.
Win 4–1 Ning Guangyou Submission (triangle choke) AOW 13 July 18, 2009 1 7:34 Beijing, China Featherweight debut.
Win 3–1 Kim Nam-sun TKO (doctor stoppage) Spirit MC 17 June 29, 2008 1 4:08 Seoul, South Korea
Loss 2–1 Lee Kwang-hee KO (soccer kicks) Spirit MC 14 January 20, 2008 1 2:45 Seoul, South Korea For the Spirit MC Welterweight Championship (155 lb).
Win 2–0 Jang Duk-young Submission (triangle choke) Spirit MC 13 October 14, 2007 1 2:45 Seoul, South Korea
Win 1–0 So Jae-hyun Decision (unanimous) Spirit MC 11 April 22, 2007 2 5:00 Seoul, South Korea Lightweight debut.

[47]

Filmography

Television show

Year Title Role Ref.
2022 The First Business in the World Contestant [48]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Kyung Ho Kang – official UFC fighter profile". UFC. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Kyung Ho Kang's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  3. ^ @mr.perfect.kang (September 21, 2018). "퍼플벨트로 승급했습니다! 양성훈 감독님 감사드립다! 블랙벨트 받는날까지 열심히 수련하겠습니다. 도복은 vhts!😆" (in Korean). Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ "동의대 출신 종합격투기 선수 강경호, UFC 진출". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). August 22, 2012.
  5. ^ John Evans (March 24, 2012). "Road FC: Kang, Kume score submissions; UFC veteran 'Jucão' Carneiro rolls". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  6. ^ James Goyder (March 26, 2012). "Asian MMA roundup: Kyung Ho Kang wins at Road FC, Rodrigo Caporal victorious at RUFF". MMAmania.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Staff (June 19, 2012). "Official results for Road FC 8: The Final Four – Bitter Rivals". MMAsucka.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Anton Tabuena (July 27, 2012). "Report: UFC signs Korean bantamweight champ, Kyung Ho Kang for Macau event". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  9. ^ Mike Whitman (November 3, 2012). "Kyung Ho Kang injured, Alex Caceres meets Motonobu Tezuka at UFC on Fuel TV 6". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  10. ^ Mike Whitman (December 13, 2012). "Wanderlei Silva Returns to Japan in March, Headlines UFC on Fuel TV 8 Opposite Brian Stann". Sherdog.
  11. ^ Jesse Holland (March 21, 2013). "Lavar Johnson cut, Alex Caceres suspended for recent UFC drug test failures (updated)". MMAmania.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  12. ^ Mike Bohn (June 8, 2013). "Chico Camus meets Kyung Ho Kang at UFC 164 in Milwaukee". mmamania.com.
  13. ^ Ben Fowlkes (September 1, 2013). "UFC 164 results and photos: Chico Camus upsets Kyung Ho Kang for home fans". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  14. ^ "Ellenberger-Saffiedine official for UFC in Singapore, two fights added". MMAjunkie.com. November 6, 2013.
  15. ^ Matt Erickson (January 4, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 34 results: Kyung Ho Kang beats up Shunichi Shimizu after strange first round". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  16. ^ Matt Erickson (2014-02-21). "Chris Holdsworth vs. Kyung Ho Kang set for UFC 173 in May". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  17. ^ Matt Erickson (2014-04-05). "Chico Camus in for Kyung Ho Kang, meets Chris Holdsworth at UFC 173". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  18. ^ Anton Tabuena (2014-07-26). "Asian champions Michinori Tanaka and Kyung Ho Kang to face off at UFC: Japan". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  19. ^ a b Karim Zadan (2014-09-20). "UFC Fight Night Japan bonuses: Mark Hunt earns $50,000 for knockout win over Roy Nelson". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  20. ^ "UFC fighter Kang Kyung-Ho puts MMA career on hold for mandatory Korean military service - Asia MMA". Asia MMA. 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  21. ^ Dorff, Marcel. "Kyung Ho Kang keert terug na ruim 3 jaar afwezigheid tegen Guido Cannetti in St.Louis". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  22. ^ "UFC Fight Night 124 results: Kyung Ho Kang chokes out Guido Cannetti in first round". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
  23. ^ Marcel Dorff (2018-05-08). "Ricardo Ramos faces Kyung Ho Kang during UFC 227 in Los Angeles". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  24. ^ "UFC 227 results: Ricardo Ramos' power shots earn split call over Kyung Ho Kang". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  25. ^ Dorff, Marcel. "Aziatisch onderonsje tussen Teruto Ishihara en Kyung Ho Kang tijdens UFC 234 in Melbourne" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  26. ^ "UFC 234 results: Kyung Ho Kang chokes out Teruto Ishihara after slugfest". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-10. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  27. ^ Farah Hannoun (2019-06-21). "Brandon Davis vs. Kyung Ho Kang added to UFC 241 in Anaheim". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  28. ^ Fortune, Ryan (2019-08-17). "UFC 241 Results: Kyung Ho Kang Overcomes Adversity, Edges Out Brandon Davis". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  29. ^ Dorff, Marcel. "Aziatisch onderonsje tussen Kyung Ho Kang en Pingyuan Liu ingepland voor UFC Busan" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  30. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-12-21). "UFC Busan Results: Kyung Ho Kang Wrestles His Way to Win Over Liu Pingyuan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  31. ^ Kevin Binoy (2021-05-24). "Rani Yahya vs Kyung Ho Kang set for a bantamweight clash on July 31st". essentiallysports.com. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  32. ^ Danny Segura (2021-07-31). "UFC on ESPN 28 loses co-main, sees main card fight come back after being canceled". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  33. ^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-10-06). "Rani Yahya vs. Kyung Ho Kang opnieuw ingepland, ditmaal tijdens UFC evenement op 20 november". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  34. ^ Gibbons, Justin (2021-11-20). "UFC Vegas 43: Rani Yahya's Grappling Leads to Clear Victory Over Kyung Ho Kang". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  35. ^ "Glover Teixeira faces Jiří Procházka at UFC 275". Asian MMA. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  36. ^ "Danaa Batgerel faces Kyung Ho Kang at UFC 275". Asian MMA. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  37. ^ Behunin, Alex (2022-06-11). "UFC 275: Kyung Ho Kang Jabs, Leg Kicks His Way To Unanimous Decision Against Danaa Batgerel". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  38. ^ "Kyung Ho Kang faces Christian Quinonez on June 17th". Asian MMA. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  39. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-06-17). "UFC Vegas 75: 'Mr. Perfect' Kang Kyung-Ho Clubs n' Subs Cristian Quiñonez In Round One". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  40. ^ Desk, ITN News (2023-08-16). "Kyung Ho Kang vs John Castaneda Reported for UFC Nov 18 Event". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  41. ^ "Kyung Ho Kang fight moved to UFC 295". asianmma.com. October 11, 2023.
  42. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-11-12). "UFC 295: John Castaneda Sweeps Scorecards in Back and Forth Affair with Kyung Ho Kang". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  43. ^ "Kyung Ho Kang faces Muin Gafurov at UFC Saudi Arabia". Asian MMA. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  44. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-06-22). "UFC Saudi Arabia: Muin Gafurov Outduels Kyung-Ho Kang for First UFC Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  45. ^ "South Korea's UFC No. 5 fighter Kang Kyung-ho (38) will organize his 12-year relationship with the w.. - MK". 매일경제. 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  46. ^ "[MD인터뷰] 'UFC 베테랑' 강경호 "김동현 형 최다승 뛰어넘어야죠!"". mydaily.co.kr (in Korean). November 6, 2023.
  47. ^ Sherdog.com. "Kyung Ho". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  48. ^ Hwang, Eun-cheol (September 20, 2022). "격투X유도X야구X농구X머슬X개그 6개팀 18인의 친근한 선수들 공개 ('천하제일장사')" [Fighting X Judo X Baseball X Basketball X Muscle X Gag 6 teams, 18 friendly players revealed (‘The best seller in the world’)] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via Naver.