Provisional Champion Ryu Jung-hyun Promoted Regular Champion
“I was lucky this time…Train harder”
featherweight champion Lim Yoo-hong, title 1st defense
“Jeus FC parallel & KMMA 2nd weight class berth”
Aspiring FC Jeon Min-gu, middleweight champion, runner-up Kim Min-sung conquers welterweight.”

On Saturday, April 18, the amateur mixed martial arts competition “Popey Union Member KMMA40 Daegu” was held at KMMA Popeye Arena in Jung-gu, Daegu, including four title matches.

Provisional champion Ryu Jung-hyun (Yangsan Team Mad, 26) beat Udow (MMA Factory Hada, 20) 2-0 and was promoted to KMMA Super Lightweight Regular Champion. “It was a fierce battle, no matter who won, there was nothing to say about scoring. I was lucky this time. I will train harder.”

Ryu Jung-hyun is taking a photo to commemorate becoming the regular champion of the mixed martial arts group KMMA Super Lightweight in April 2026. On the left in the middle, Yoo Sang-hoon, Korea's No. 1 fighter in the Audition Contender Series hosted by the UFC president, is the leader of Yangsan Team Mad. Photo = Representative Popeye's KMMA fighter agency is provided 사진 확대 Ryu Jung-hyun is taking a photo to commemorate becoming the regular champion of the mixed martial arts group KMMA Super Lightweight in April 2026. On the left in the middle, Yoo Sang-hoon, Korea’s No. 1 fighter in the Audition Contender Series hosted by the UFC president, is the leader of Yangsan Team Mad. Photo = Representative Popeye’s KMMA fighter agency is provided

Ryu Jung-hyun is a student of Korean Contender Series No. 1 fighter Yoo Sang-hoon (36). UFC President and CEO Dana White (57) launched the Contender Series (DWCS) in 2017 and is looking for prospects in person.

KMMA is a group formed by UFC commentator Kim Dae-hwan and former UFC, Road FC, ONE, and Spider Jiu-Jitsu commentator Jung Yong-joon. It has been held every month since October 2022 to provide an environment comparable to that of overseas amateur players in Korea.

Featherweight champion Lim Yoo-hong (shield MMA, 16) defended the KMMA title by winning 2-0 over challenger Kim Wan-joon (Jeonju Team Mad, 22). Yim Yuhong is also a professional Zeus FC player. Kim Wan-joon is a former KMMA featherweight champion.

Champion Lim Yoo-hong is taking a photo to commemorate the success of the first defense of the mixed martial arts group KMMA title in April 2026. On the left is Lee Eok-yeol, leader of his team Gyeongju Shield MMA. Photo = Representative Popeye's KMMA fighter agency is provided 사진 확대 Champion Lim Yoo-hong is taking a photo to commemorate the success of the first defense of the mixed martial arts group KMMA title in April 2026. On the left is Lee Eok-yeol, leader of his team Gyeongju Shield MMA. Photo = Representative Popeye’s KMMA fighter agency is provided

Lim Yoo-hong said, “I want to become a two-weight champion, up to the lightweight division and the bantam division below,” revealing the reason and aspiration for KMMA activities with Zeus FC professional fighter.

In the KMMA middleweight championship match, Jeon Min-gu (Havas MMA, 22) beat Seo Hyun-wook (Busan University Team Mad, 21) with a unanimous decision victory after a close game. Jeon Min-gu also plays GOAT FC, another domestic mixed martial arts organization. Seo played 11 games in KMMA alone.

GOAT FC Jeon Min-gu is taking a photo to commemorate becoming the KMMA middleweight champion of the mixed martial arts group in April 2026. On the left is Seo Hyun-wook, who was a title match opponent. Photo = Representative Popeye's KMMA fighter agency is provided 사진 확대 GOAT FC Jeon Min-gu is taking a photo to commemorate becoming the KMMA middleweight champion of the mixed martial arts group in April 2026. On the left is Seo Hyun-wook, who was a title match opponent. Photo = Representative Popeye’s KMMA fighter agency is provided Kim Min-sung, nicknamed "Shy Boy" as the runner-up in high school, is sending a strong light hook to Hwang In-je in the first round of the mixed martial arts group KMMA welterweight championship match in April 2026. Photo = Representative Popeye's KMMA fighter agency is provided 사진 확대 Kim Min-sung, nicknamed “Shy Boy” as the runner-up in high school, is sending a strong light hook to Hwang In-je in the first round of the mixed martial arts group KMMA welterweight championship match in April 2026. Photo = Representative Popeye’s KMMA fighter agency is provided

Kim Min-sung (Team Honbon Hall, 19) beat Hwang In-je (MMA Kim Dae-hwan, 30) by TKO in 1 minute and 46 seconds in the first round of the KMMA welterweight championship match. He earned the nickname “Shy Boy” and displayed his star quality in the official mixed martial arts stage as the runner-up to the high school king.

Kim Sung-bae, chairman of the main sponsor Popeye Association, said, “The level of KMMA is rising thanks to fighters who also play professional activities, but on the other hand, we are concerned about the injury of amateur players. I hope you gain experience to achieve your dreams safely without getting hurt,” he said.

KMMA, which has surpassed 2,000 games in total with only semi-professional competitions, such as title matches, is establishing itself as the largest and best amateur competition in Korea. The next competition is ‘Popey Union Member KMMA41 Daegu’ on May 16 and ‘Popey Union Member KMMA42 Daegu’ on June 13.

KMMA is provided by the main sponsor Popeye, Manjane, Mountain Miseong Pork Soup, OPMT, Dongseong-ro Cartoon Cafe Gobang, Wedding Studiosemian Daegu branch, Vitalmu Aejujitsu Bok, Dojang Insurance team leader Shin Jae-young, Kingdom Jiujitsu, Ilmere Dam, Advide, Chador, and Live On Media.

[Kang Daeho, MK Sports Reporter]