UFC fighter Ko Seok-hyun, weeks from wedding: 'I'll just cover the bruises with makeup'

Ko Seok-hyun (32), nicknamed "Korean Tyson," is chasing a third straight UFC win and a seventh consecutive career victory — and he has vowed to deliver for the bride-to-be who gave him her blessing to fight just three weeks before their wedding.

Ko is set to face Jean-Paul Lebosnoyan (27, United States) in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Saturday (Korean Standard Time).

Ko flew to Las Vegas on Tuesday to set up a training camp and put the finishing touches on his preparation. He arrived at 9 p.m. local time, was in bed by 11 p.m. and woke at 9 a.m. the following morning, making his jet-lag adjustment remarkably smooth. Now fully settled and relaxed — a far cry from his early UFC days — he has been running morning conditioning sessions and afternoon technical work to sharpen his overall game.

Ko drew wide attention when he announced his August wedding around the time this bout was confirmed. He could have postponed either the fight or the ceremony, but in characteristic fashion he pressed ahead with both.

In a video interview with South Korean media on Thursday, Ko said his girlfriend had been the one to push him toward the fight. "She told me the match comes first and encouraged me to compete," he said. "She even said we could pay the cancellation fee and push the wedding back, so I was able to prepare without any hesitation."

Ko said the relationship began when he was teaching techniques to a gym member — his now-fiancée — and things developed from there into marriage. "She lifts my confidence and gives me the space to focus on my fights, so everything falls into place," he said. "She won't be coming to watch in person — she'll be watching on TV at home — but I'll give everything I have. I love her and I'm grateful."

Facial damage is an occupational hazard in combat sports — swelling, bruising and cuts come with the territory. Ko, the groom-to-be, is unbothered. "Even if my face gets bruised or cut up, I can cover it with makeup, so I'm not too worried," he said, adding that fighting this close to his wedding has not changed his mindset at all.

His opponent, Lebosnoyan, is no easy mark. Trained in jiu-jitsu from an early age by his veteran father, he is a submission specialist. Eight of his 10 professional bouts have ended by finish, five of them by submission.

Ko said he has no concerns about a grappling exchange with Lebosnoyan. "My wrestling will be overwhelmingly stronger," he said. "What I am keeping an eye on is his jiu-jitsu movement and footwork."

Though widely regarded as a grappler, Ko has invested heavily in his striking for this camp. "I've trained striking more intensively heading into this fight, and that's been the focus in camp as well," he said. "I'm going for the KO, but I won't force it recklessly." True to his signature strength, he was confident about dominating across the board: "I'll break him with conditioning and mental strength."

A win Saturday would give Ko three straight victories in the UFC and extend his overall winning streak to seven, dating to 2022. Three consecutive wins from his UFC debut would significantly raise his profile and put ranked opponents within reach.

Ko said he is also hoping a victory sets up a rematch with Jacoby Smith — a bout that fell through in February due to a rib injury — and that Kevin Holland is another name on his radar.

Meanwhile, Ko weighed in on the main event of UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2, scheduled for Sunday. "I'll go with Holloway," he predicted. He acknowledged that Conor McGregor is a supremely talented fighter with an extraordinary legacy, but said a five-year layoff means McGregor will likely need time to readjust.

Ko has been introduced in the cage as "Korean Tyson" throughout his recent bouts — a nickname earned by his resemblance to Mike Tyson and his stocky build. He hinted, however, that he might walk out under a different moniker this time. "Whether I keep it or go with something new — check on fight night," he said with a smile.

Ko closed by saying he is excited for the bout. "I've been consistently upgrading myself for this, and I'm putting the finishing touches on that upgrade here in Las Vegas," he said. "I'll show everyone a KO victory."