UFC featherweight Chan Sung Jung announced on Monday he will not compete in mixed martial arts competition for two years due to mandatory military service in South Korea.
Jung, 27, is scheduled to begin a two-year military obligation later this month. All South Korean males are required to serve two years. Jung intends to resume his MMA career upon completion of his military service.
"He'll be working in a government office -- the Seocho District administrative office," said Brian Rhee, Jung's manager. "He desperately wants to fight as soon as possible, but will only be allowed to train around his office job. No competing during the duration of his service. His previous injuries allowed him to be placed in that position. He'll be allowed to live at home and commute to the district office."
Jung (13-4) has fought just once in the last 29 months due to injury. That one appearance was against Jose Aldo for the UFC's 145-pound title in August 2013. Jung lost the bout via TKO in the fourth round.
An eight-year professional fighter, Jung is 3-1 in the UFC overall, with three finishes. Dubbed the "Korean Zombie" for his fighting style, Jung burst onto the North American mixed martial arts scene in a back-and-forth brawl against Leonard Garcia at WEC 48 in April 2010.
Jung was scheduled to face Akira Corassani at a UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 4 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.