Choi Ji-wun faces rising prospect Lee Je-seon at Road FC 079 on Sunday
MMA fighter Choi Ji-wun (25), who was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent surgery at age two, is chasing back-to-back wins on the Road FC stage.
Choi will face Lee Je-seon (19) in a lightweight bout at Road FC 079, set for Sunday at Jangchung Arena in Seoul. The fight comes roughly three months after Choi's victory at a DOMVS event in August.
Choi was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition involving four simultaneous structural abnormalities in the heart that can impair the blood's ability to carry oxygen. He had corrective surgery at age two and has managed his health for more than 20 years since.
Choi took up MMA as an elementary school student and honed his skills training alongside Road FC bantamweight champion Kim Su-cheol. After years of disciplined training and health management, he made his professional debut at Road FC in 2019. He has a tattoo on his chest covering the scar left by his childhood heart surgery — a mark he also regards as a symbol of the resolve he carried into his fighting career.
After turning professional, Choi stepped away from competition for about three years to focus on his health and study abroad before returning last year.
His upcoming opponent, Lee Je-seon, is a 19-year-old prospect. "I think Lee is a fighter who moves diligently and pays attention to the fundamentals," Choi said. "All of my wins have come by finish. I think a KO is possible in this fight too."
Road FC 079 will also feature a performance by Eunha, Sinbi and Umji, former members of the K-pop girl group GFriend.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
