Dong Hyun Kim

South Korean mixed martial artist (born 1981) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kim Dong-hyun (Korean: 김동현; born November 17, 1981), anglicized as Dong Hyun Kim, is a South Korean retired mixed martial artist who most notably fought in the UFC's welterweight division. He was signed by the UFC after fighting in the Japanese promotion DEEP and in the South Korean promotion Spirit MC.

BornKim Bong[1]
(1981-11-17) November 17, 1981 (age 44)
Suwon, South Korea
Other namesStun Gun
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Quick facts Kim Dong-hyun, Born ...
Kim Dong-hyun
Kim in 2012
BornKim Bong[1]
(1981-11-17) November 17, 1981 (age 44)
Suwon, South Korea
Other namesStun Gun
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionWelterweight (2007–2017)
Lightweight (2004–2007)
Reach76 in (193 cm)[2]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofBusan, South Korea
TeamBusan Team MAD
Rank4th dan black belt in Judo[3]
3rd dan black belt in Taekwondo[4]
1st dan black belt in Hapkido
Brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[4]
Years active2004–2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins22
By knockout9
By submission2
By decision11
Losses4
By knockout3
By decision1
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Spouse
Song Ha-yul
(m. 2018)
[5]
Children3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Korean name
Hangul
김동현
Hanja
金東炫
RRGim Donghyeon
MRKim Tonghyŏn
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Channel
Yearsactive2019
Subscribers1,080,000
Views657 million
Quick facts YouTube information, Channel ...
Dong Hyun Kim
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2019
Subscribers1,080,000
Views657 million
Last updated: 28 November 2025
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Kim is also prominent as a regular cast member in variety shows Master in the House, DoReMi Market, The Return of Superman, and Strong Heart.

Early life

Kim was born in Suwon, South Korea.[citation needed] He is of the Gimhae Kim clan.[6] He moved to Daejeon when he was a primary school student, where he took up Inline speed skating. He began training in Judo when he was 14 years old, and trained in Taekwondo and Hapkido together in his late teens for his interest in martial arts. And later Kim began to practice Judo professionally at Yong-In University, which led him to reignite his MMA career.[7] Kim began training at Wajyutsu Keisyukai, a renowned Japanese gym frequented by a number of top Japanese fighters. As one of the largest members of the gym, Kim became a regular sparring partner of middleweight Yushin Okami.[7] At this time he competed in Sambo. He completed his mandatory military service in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps in 2001. Later he became a fighter for Spirit MC, but retired in 2004 for economic reasons. He mentioned during Law of the Jungle that he spent four months in Auckland, New Zealand working in 3 concurrent part-time roles (kitchenhand and sashimi chef/poissonnier, bricklayer and construction labourer). His job situation didn’t improve upon returning to Korea until his parents finally allowed him to train again. He has trained with Busan Team MAD since 2007.[8] He teaches self defence classes. One of his students is Hani of Korean girl group EXID.[citation needed]

Career

Filmography

He is a regular guest on Korean variety and talk shows. He has appeared on more than seventy TV shows since 2010. On June 16, 2013, he featured as the 'Hulk' on Running Man episode 150 (SBS Sunday night show). [citation needed] On that episode he led the character that transformed into Hulk mode in Running Man Avengers. On March 22, 2015, Kim reappeared on Running Man in episode 239 as a guest.[citation needed] Kim was also featured along with fellow UFC fighter Yoshihiro Akiyama in the Korean boy band MYNAME's dramatic music video for their single "Baby I'm Sorry". On June 26, 2016, Kim returned as a guest on Running Man in episode 305. Kim is regular cast member of Great Escape Season 1 of 2018 and Season 2 of 2019. In 2019, he guest-starred on Not the Person You Used To Know, where he appeared as one of the friends of Hani of EXID.

In September 2018, he announced his marriage to Song Ha-ryul on several variety shows,[9] and then revealed her pregnancy on the February 14, 2019, episode of Amazing Saturday.[10][unreliable source?]

Early career

Kim gained recognition after signing with the Japanese DEEP organization, earning a succession of wins before knocking out DEEP welterweight champion Hidehiko Hasegawa in a non-title bout in 2007. Kim and Hasegawa later fought to a controversial draw in a title fight at DEEP 32nd Impact, leaving defending champion Hasegawa with the title. Kim departed from DEEP to sign a contract with PRIDE Fighting Championships, but the UFC purchased and dismantled PRIDE before Kim could fight in the organization. Kim's performances attracted the attention of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) talent scouts, who offered him a contract. However, because the WEC is not televised in Korea, Kim's management pushed for and received a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which airs on Korean cable television.

Kim's original nickname is "Stun Gun", then a lot of Korean fans started calling him "Maemi", which means Cicada in Korean. The nickname was given to Kim from his fighting style where he likes to take his opponents to the ground, grapple with them and never let them escape like a Cicada on a tree.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kim made his UFC debut at UFC 84 against Jason Tan, methodically breaking down his opponent and ultimately winning by technical knockout in the third round. With his performance and victory, Kim became the actual first fighter from South Korea to fight in the UFC, although both UFC and the media at times mistakenly label the former American fighter, Joe Son, as the first Korean UFC fighter, most likely because of Son's ethnicity.[11][12][13][14] Kim's appearance drew considerable attention in South Korea, since his UFC debut was in 2008, which was five years after when MMA was introduced and popularized in South Korea by Spirit MC, the country's pioneering MMA organization.[15] One week before the event, a prime time, hour-long special about Kim was aired on Korean television. Though Kim's bout did not air on the UFC pay-per-view, it aired live on Korean television, and was then replayed twice more before the regular event coverage resumed.[16]

He made his second octagon appearance at UFC 88, capturing a split decision over The Ultimate Fighter 7 alumnus Matt Brown. During this fight, Kim's conditioning was very poor due to jet lag, and visa problems prevented him from bringing a coach. In the first round, Kim threatened Brown with a standing rear-naked choke and took Brown's back on numerous occasions but became exhausted in the second. In the third, Kim used some effective ground-and-pound and cut Brown with an elbow. All three judges scored the bout 29–28, two in Kim's favor and one in Brown's favor. The decision was contested by the crowd in attendance with noticeable booing.[17]

Kim returned to the octagon in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31, 2009, as he faced off against fellow judo practitioner Karo Parisyan at UFC 94. With Frank Mir in his corner who served as his boxing coach prior to the fight.[18] Kim lost to Parisyan on split decision although fans in attendance booed the decision, and former UFC champions Matt Hughes,[19] Randy Couture[20][unreliable source?] and UFC president Dana White[21] commented that they thought Kim won the fight. Afterwards, however, Parisyan tested positive for three banned pain killers: Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone and Oxymorphone,[22][23] leading the Nevada Athletic Commission to declare the match a No Contest, and a nine month suspensuon for Parisyan.[24] Later, on March 5, 2009, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[25]

Kim defeated T. J. Grant at UFC 100, winning by a unanimous decision, threatening with a guillotine choke midway through the second round. He was scheduled to fight Dan Hardy on November 14, 2009, at UFC 105, but was forced to withdraw due to ligament injuries in his right knee incurred while sparring with Kazuhiro Nakamura[26] and was subsequently replaced on the card by Mike Swick.[citation needed]

Kim was expected to face Chris Lytle on February 21, 2010, at UFC 110.[27] However, Kim was forced off the card after suffering another knee injury.[28] Brian Foster stepped in as his replacement.

Kim next faced The Ultimate Fighter season 7 winner, Amir Sadollah on May 29, 2010, at UFC 114 and won via unanimous decision, dominating Sadollah with far superior judo.

Kim was then expected to face fellow undefeated fighter John Hathaway at UFC 120,[29] but was later replaced by Mike Pyle due to an elbow ligament injury incurred during his training.[30]

Kim defeated The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner, Nate Diaz on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125 via unanimous decision.[31] Kim used his judo to control rounds 1 and 2. Diaz mounted a remarkable attack in Round 3, but it was not enough and Kim won a decision over Diaz. After the fight Kim called out then-current UFC welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre, whom he considered a hero and role model as a mixed martial artist. Later on January 10, 2011, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[32]

Kim lost to Carlos Condit on July 2, 2011, at UFC 132 via first-round KO due to a flying knee.[33] This loss was the first of his professional MMA career.

Kim fought Sean Pierson on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141.[34] Kim used superior striking to control Pierson throughout the fight and win a unanimous decision, even landing a leaping front-kick to the face in the second round that wobbled Pierson.[35]

Kim lost to Demian Maia at UFC 148 on July 7, 2012 by TKO.[36] The bout was stopped in forty-seven seconds in the first round by referee Mario Yamasaki, after Maia took Kim down and ended up in the mounted position. Many observers, including UFC commentator Joe Rogan, thought that Kim had broken a rib during the bout, but it was later revealed that he suffered a major muscle spasm while defending Maia's takedown attempts.[37]

Kim faced Paulo Thiago on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[38] He dominated Thiago on the ground for all three rounds, ending the bout with a wild display of ground and pound reminiscent of Kazushi Sakuraba. He won via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, and 30–27).[39]

Kim fought Siyar Bahadurzada on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8.[40] He earned a unanimous victory.[41]

Kim then faced Erick Silva on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.[42] He won via knockout at 3:01 of the second round, earning him his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[43][44] Later on October 30, 2013, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[45]

Kim faced John Hathaway on March 1, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale.[46] Kim defeated Hathaway via third-round knockout, earning him his first Performance of the Night honors.[47][48]

Kim was expected to face Hector Lombard on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 48.[49] However, Lombard pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Tyron Woodley.[50] Kim lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[51]

Kim faced Josh Burkman on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187.[52] Kim won the fight via submission in the third round.[53]

Kim was expected to face Jorge Masvidal on November 28, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 79.[54] However, on November 14, it was announced that Masvidal would instead face Benson Henderson at the event after his scheduled opponent Thiago Alves pulled out of their fight.[55] Kim instead faced Dominic Waters.[56] Kim won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[57]

Kim was expected to face Neil Magny on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202.[58] However, Kim was removed from the fight on July 12 and replaced by Lorenz Larkin.[59]

Kim was expected to face Gunnar Nelson on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 99.[60] However, on October 21, it was announced that Nelson had pulled out due to an injury and the fight was off. In turn, Kim was removed from the card and was expected to be rescheduled for a future event.[61]

Kim next faced Tarec Saffiedine on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207.[62] He was awarded a victory by split decision.[63]

Kim faced Colby Covington on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 111.[64] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[65]

After that, Kim retired from MMA.[66]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Grappling

Entertainment

  • 2018 6th Korean Art And Cultural Awards - Sportainer [83]
  • 2019 Korea First Brand Awards - Sportainer [84]
  • 2020 Brand Of The Year Awards - Sportainer [85]
  • 2020 2020 SBS Entertainment Awards - Excellence Award in Show/Variety Category [86]

Filmography

Television shows

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Law of the Jungle Cast Member in Nicaragua (Episode 178–185)
2018–present Great Escape Season 1–4 [87][88][89]
DoReMi Market [90]
2019–2020 Player 7 Season 1–2 [91]
2019–2021 The Gentlemen's League Cast Member a.k.a Let's Play Soccer (뭉쳐야 찬다)
2019–present Same Age Trainer Main Host
2020–2023 Master in the House Cast Member [92]
2021 Let's Play Basketball Cast Member Let's Play Soccer spin-off [93]
Steel Troops Fixed moderator
Lanson Marketplace Host [94]
Becoming Smarter [95]
The Strong Man 2 Team leader [96]
Hogu's Secret Tutoring Host [97]
Superhero Host [98]
2021–2023 The Gentlemen's League 2 Cast Member a.k.a. Let's Play Soccer 2 (뭉쳐야 찬다 2) [99]
2022 National University is National University Host [100]
Steel Troops Panelist Season 2 [101]
Naked Korean History Cast Member [102]
2022–present The Return of Superman [103]
2022 Steel Ball Host Steel Troops spin-off [104]
Sports Golden Bell Contestant Chuseok Special [105]
The King of Ssireum Spinoff [106]
2022–2023 Fighter Mentor [107]
2023 My Friends Are Smarter Than Me Host [108]
World's First Merchant Contestant Season 2 [109]
Carefree Travellers Returns Cast Member Episode 9–16 [110]
2023–2024 The Gentlemen's League 3 Cast Member a.k.a Let's Play Soccer 3 (뭉쳐야 찬다 3) [111]
2024 When I Opened My Eyes [112]
Iron Girls [113]
The Iron Squad W Host [114]
King of Survival: Tribal War Cast Member [115]
The Pork Fighter [116]
Hidden Eye [117]
2024–present Handsome Guys [118]
2025 Iron Girls 2 [119]
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Web shows

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024 Physical 100: Season 2 - Underground Contestant Season 2 [120]
The Zone: Survival Mission 3 Cast Member Season 3 [121]
2025 Physical: Asia Contestant [122]
Physical: Welcome to Mongolia Cast Member [123]
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Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
28 matches 22 wins 4 losses
By knockout 9 3
By submission 2 0
By decision 11 1
Draws 1
No contests 1
More information Res., Record ...
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 22–4–1 (1) Colby Covington Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia June 17, 2017 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Win 22–3–1 (1) Tarec Saffiedine Decision (split) UFC 207 December 30, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 21–3–1 (1) Dominic Waters TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Masvidal November 28, 2015 1 3:11 Seoul, South Korea
Win 20–3–1 (1) Joshua Burkman Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 187 May 23, 2015 3 2:13 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 19–3–1 (1) Tyron Woodley TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Le August 23, 2014 1 1:01 Macau, SAR, China
Win 19–2–1 (1) John Hathaway KO (spinning elbow) The Ultimate Fighter China Finale: Kim vs. Hathaway March 1, 2014 3 1:02 Macau, SAR, China Performance of the Night. Knockout of the Year.
Win 18–2–1 (1) Erick Silva KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields October 9, 2013 2 3:01 Barueri, Brazil Knockout of the Night.
Win 17–2–1 (1) Siyar Bahadurzada Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann March 3, 2013 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 16–2–1 (1) Paulo Thiago Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le November 10, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China
Loss 15–2–1 (1) Demian Maia TKO (rib injury) UFC 148 July 7, 2012 1 0:47 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–1–1 (1) Sean Pierson Decision (unanimous) UFC 141 December 30, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 14–1–1 (1) Carlos Condit KO (flying knee and punches) UFC 132 July 2, 2011 1 2:58 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–0–1 (1) Nate Diaz Decision (unanimous) UFC 125 January 1, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–0–1 (1) Amir Sadollah Decision (unanimous) UFC 114 May 29, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–0–1 (1) T. J. Grant Decision (unanimous) UFC 100 July 11, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC 11–0–1 (1) Karo Parisyan NC (overturned) UFC 94 January 31, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Originally a split decision win for Parisyan; overturned after he tested positive for banned painkillers.
Win 11–0–1 Matt Brown Decision (split) UFC 88 September 6, 2008 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 10–0–1 Jason Tan TKO (elbows) UFC 84 May 24, 2008 3 0:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw 9–0–1 Hidehiko Hasegawa Draw Deep: 32 Impact October 9, 2007 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Deep Welterweight Championship.
Win 9–0 Hidehiko Hasegawa KO (slam and punches) Deep: 31 Impact August 5, 2007 3 4:57 Tokyo, Japan Welterweight debut.
Win 8–0 Yukiharu Maejima KO (punches) Deep: CMA Festival 2 July 23, 2007 1 0:11 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0 Hidenobu Koike KO (punch) Deep: 28 Impact February 16, 2007 2 4:33 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–0 Jun Ando TKO (punches) Deep: 27 Impact December 20, 2006 2 0:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–0 Kousei Kubota KO (knee) Deep: 26 Impact October 10, 2006 1 2:46 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–0 Tomoyoshi Iwamiya Decision (unanimous) Deep: 25 Impact August 4, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–0 Mitsunori Tanimura Submission (rear-naked choke) Deep: CMA Festival May 24, 2006 1 4:28 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–0 Hyung-Kwang Kim Decision (unanimous) Spirit MC 5: 2004 GP Unlimited September 11, 2004 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
Win 1–0 Young-Ahm Noh Decision (unanimous) Spirit MC 3: I Will Be Back!!! April 10, 2004 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
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See also

References

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