Dong Hyun Kim wants a title shot… and deserves it

The UFC Welterweight division seems to be in a bit of a chaotic state since former champion Georges St. Pierre walked away from the title, and the sport. The Johny Hendricks/Robbie Lawler fight to crown a new champion will answer a very big question: who becomes the new king of the division? Hendricks is the overwhelming favourite, and most believe he will get the title that he felt he won, months ago. Hendricks is an explosive fighter who has proved to be a guy that looks to finish fights. He’s taken fights when he didn’t need to, and as champion of the division, would bring a level of excitement from a fight stand point, that was missing during St. Pierre’s reign. Even if Lawler does pull the upset, the known striker is always involved in an exciting fight, and proved in his defeat of Rory MacDonald that he’s become more than just a knock out guy.

Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Jake Shields, Jake Ellenberger are all great fighters. They are all capable of challenging Hendricks or Lawler for the title, and walking away the new champion. Yet, despite this, the focus of the division needs to shift to the star of yesterday’s Ultimate Fighter finale: Dong Hyun Kim.

Kim provides not only the division’s top contenders, but the UFC, with a fresh face who’s fighting style makes him the perfect candidate to challenge for the title. As the sport continues to evolve, one aspect of the fight game we are seeing come to the forefront more is the safe fighter. Fighters are using their wrestling base or their jab, to not take any chances in a fight, with the hope that the win will be all they will need to either keep their title or challenge for one. This “play it safe” approach leads to boring fights, boring cards, and ultimately a boring reputation. No one wants to buy a pay per view headlined by someone with a reputation for being bland.

What makes people a fan of the sport is the idea that any moment – anything can happen – a fighter may be behind on the score cards, but like a bolt of lightening, they can end the fight with one strike. This is exactly who Kim is. His spinning back elbow knock out over John Hathaway proves just that.

The Welterweight division needs a new identity. No longer is it about “who’s going to be the guy to beat GSP?” By pitting a fighter like Dong Hyun Kim against a Johnny Hendricks or Robbie Lawler, you are setting a precedent of excitement. Kim has proved throughout his career that he’s willing to take chances in order to gain success – the UFC needs more fighters like him.

Kim looks poised to be the breakout fighter of 2014 – it’s time for the UFC to unleash the “Stun Gun.”

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