In his home country of South Korea, Sung Bin Jo is already a pretty big deal.<\/p>\n
The dashing 28-year old has looks that can rival any K-Pop star, and that has translated to gigs as an image model on television and magazine ads, as well as appearances on shows such as \u201cBad Papa\u201d and \u201cCash Back\u201d.<\/p>\n
While Jo definitely has what it takes to become a celebrity based on his looks alone, the Seoul native is also making waves in a completely different stage: the mixed-martial arts cage.<\/p>\n
Sporting an impressive 9-1 career record with all of his wins coming either by knockout or submission, the man known as \u201cThe Korean Falcon\u201d is undoubtedly one of South Korea\u2019s hottest MMA prospects. Now, after a successful, championship-laden run in the regional circuit and a stint in the UFC, Jo is taking his talents to another big MMA stage in the US-based Professional Fighters League or PFL.<\/p>\n
The PFL is a rapidly growing MMA league, and that\u2019s thanks in large part to their unique regular season tournament-style format that resonates with any and every avid sports fan, as well as a large distribution setup that helps their product reach 160 countries all over the world. Plus, with their current global expansion initiative, the PFL is breaking into different markets and fan bases across the globe, with Asia being one of the league\u2019s primary targets.<\/p>\n
Jo he hopes that being able to compete on a global stage such as the PFL can make him a household name among Asian-American fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that the PFL is broadcast not only in English, but also in Spanish in the United States, so I plan to show everyone that Asians can compete at this level as well,\u201d Jo said. \u201cI will try to make Asian-Americans interested in the PFL after they see my performance there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a fighter who was born, raised, and trained in South Korea. In the PFL, I will show that I can fight and succeed on the global stage,\u201d Jo added.<\/p>\n
Jo also believes that the PFL\u2019s worldwide reach can help him put Korean mixed martial arts on the map.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the PFL is an MMA organization that can let the world know of the name of my country just by having me, a fighter of Korean nationality, compete on their platform.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being the first Korean to be signed by the PFL, Jo hopes to be able to pave the way for other aspiring Korean mixed martial artists to join the league in the future as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the first Korean to sign a contract with the PFL. I will set a good precedent by succeeding in the PFL, so that other Korean fighters can also dream and aspire to be on this stage and say \u2018I want to be on big events like Sung Bin Jo\u2019,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Newly-hired PFL Vice President Loren Mack, who has years of experience in sports and on the Asian MMA scene, knows that Jo has the makings of a star.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kid is a complete package. He has the look and he obviously has the talent. He\u2019s the type of competitor that can draw in not just fans in Asia, but also the Asian-American fan base that we have in the US as well, and that\u2019s going to be a big deal,\u201d Mack said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PFL is a global stage that can be seen in 160 countries over the world, so if Jo can perform well in the league, then people are going to see that, and people are going to know just how good he is. He\u2019ll definitely be able to prove that he\u2019s among the best in the world,\u201d Mack added.<\/p>\n