*This content was translated by AI.
Yoo Soo-young (30), 'Yu Ji-su' is trying to win three consecutive UFC stages. "Swift" will clash with Korean-American prospect Eliza Smith (23).
UFC announced on the 23rd that Yoo Soo-young will face Smith at the UFC Fight Night: Emmet vs. Bachet Horse at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on March 15 (Korea Standard Time). It is his first return match in seven months after winning against Xiaolong in Shanghai, China in August last year.
The matchup draws attention as a match between a rising Korean fighter and a Korean fighter. Yoo Soo-young, a former "ROAD TO UFC" season 3 bantamweight winner, is winning two consecutive games in 2025 after signing a UFC contract. Opponent Smith also entered the UFC stage through the 'Dayna White Contender Series (DWCS)' in 2024 and has won two consecutive games.
Smith is the second UFC fighter after his father Gilbert Smith. In particular, she, whose grandmother is Korean, has a strong pride in her Korean roots to the extent that she tattooed the Korean national flag and her daughter's name (Naomi) in Korean on her left shoulder.
There is also a strange connection. Yoo Soo-young appeared on Smith's podcast last year and had a conversation. Yoo Soo-young, who confronted the old player with fists, said, "It was uncomfortable because I was fighting with the player I talked to while smiling, but I thought I would have a good chance of winning and playing a fun game."
"When I fought with other overseas players, I felt like representing Korea, but this time, I feel ambiguous," he said. "But I just feel like I'm going to win because it's the same no matter who I fight."
He gave a cold evaluation of his opponent's power. Yoo Soo-young expressed confidence, saying, "Smith is a good and smart fighter, but he is not picky because he has no abnormal movements."
Ahead of this game, Yoo Soo-young improved his skills by going on a training trip to the U.S. with "Stern Gun" Kim Dong-hyun. In particular, it is said that he has grown one step further by sparring with former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Devalishvili. "Debalishvili dedicates 24 hours to mixed martial arts," Yoo Soo-young said. "I felt that passion and renewed my mind."
Earlier in August, Yoo Soo-young won a unanimous decision against Xiaolong in Shanghai, China, despite the unilateral support of the home crowd. At the time, he proved his strong mentality by keeping his promise, which he vowed to "not lose to Chinese players." Attention is focusing on whether Yoo Soo-young, armed with her unique grappling character and nickname "Yu-Jitsu," will continue her winning streak this time.
Meanwhile, in the main event of the competition, which features Yoo Soo-young, UFC featherweight ranking 11th place Josh Emmett and 13th place Kevin Bachejos will face off.
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*This content was translated by AI.
