‘Asia’s Strongest’ Kim Soo-cheol (ROAD FC Wonju) proved to be a force to be reckoned with once again.
Kim defeated Alexey Indenko 먹튀검증 (RUS) by guillotine choke at 55 seconds of the first round in the quarterfinals of the Gupne ROAD FC 064 -63kg Bantamweight Global Tournament on April 24 at the Chiak Gymnasium in Wonju, Gangwon Province.
With the win, Kim improved his MMA record to 19-7-1 with one draw. Indenko suffered his fourth straight loss (8-1).
Kim is a force to be reckoned with in Asia beyond ROAD FC. He is the reigning ROAD FC bantamweight and featherweight champion and also holds the Japan Rising Lion invitational featherweight belt around his waist. He was also the inaugural bantamweight champion of the Singapore One Championship.
His opponent, Indenko, is the No. 1 ranked bantamweight in the Russian organization MFP. At 180 centimeters, he is one of the tallest in the bantamweight division. He utilizes his long reach to attack and has excellent ground skills.
Kim showed off his skills to the fullest. He started the fight with a calf kick. He followed up with a takedown to take control. Even after he tackled his opponent, he wrapped his neck and prepared for a counterattack. When he saw an opening, he hung on and finished with a guillotine choke. 55 seconds into the first round.
After the fight, Kim said, “The tournament is my ultimate goal, but for now, my focus is on my next opponent,” adding, “I want to thank everyone for their support.”
At the weigh-in event the day before, Won Kang-soo, the mayor of Wonju, made a surprise announcement. “I will designate Wonju Chiak Gymnasium as the first dedicated MMA venue in the world,” Won said. “We will further improve and prepare the venue to encompass all indoor sports events, culture, and broadcasting,” he said.
Kim Soo-cheol said, “We will have an MMA-only 토토꽁포인트 stadium this time,” adding, “For 15 years, I have seen Lord FC Chairman Jung Moon-hong go to the stadium every day, and the mayor has fulfilled that dream. I am grateful.”
Finally, Kim ended the interview with tears in his eyes, referring to his friend who passed away two days ago, saying, “If I meet him later, I will drink him from a barrel of alcohol, so please listen to this from heaven.”
