Kang Kyung-ho

Kang Kyung-ho (; 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. He graduated from Dong-Eui University, majoring in physical education and physiology.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kang faced Cristian Quiñónez on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47. 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.

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

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

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

Personal life Kang and his wife have a son (born 2022).

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts ROAD Fighting Championship ROAD FC bantamweight title (one time) ROAD FC bantamweight tournament winner (2012) Spirit Martial Challenge Go! Super-Korean season three winner Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Michinori Tanaka Tied (Aljamain Sterling, Mario Bautista & Marlon Vera) for third most submissions in UFC Bantamweight division history (4)

Mixed martial arts record

|Win |align=center|18–9 (1) |Danaa Batgerel |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 275 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Kallang, Singapore

|Win |align=center|16–8 (1) |Brandon Davis |Decision (split) |UFC 241 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Anaheim, California, United States

|Win |align=center|15–8 (1) |Teruto Ishihara |Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC 234 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:59 |Melbourne, Australia

| Win | align=center | 10–6 | Moon Jae-hoon | Submission (rear-naked choke) | align=center | 2 | align=center | 4:27

| Win | align=center | 4–1 | Ning Guangyou | Submission (triangle choke) | AOW 13 | | align=center | 1 | align=center | 7:34 | Beijing, China

Filmography Television show Year Title Role 2022 The First Business in the World Contestant

See also List of male mixed martial artists

References

External links

Kang Kyung-ho

Bron en licentie