When a 7ft 2in MMA colossus decides to throw down some bicep curls in front of a footballing legend gearing up for his grand send-off, you better believe the spectacle’s worth a front-row seat. South Korea’s MMA giant, Choi Hong-man, a name synonymous with raw power and unforgettable cage moments, recently put on a show of strength that had Son Heung-min—Tottenham Hotspur’s captain and national icon—playing the role of a very reluctant “gym equipment.” This extraordinary meeting in Seoul wasn’t just a quirky photo op; it embodies the intersection of combat sports’ brutal grace and football’s fast-paced finesse, marked by a decade-long farewell tour on Son’s part and a legend’s playful strength flexing on Choi’s.
As Son announced his departure from Spurs after ten years of ups, downs, and goal-scoring magic, the anticipation buzz around his final curtain call in front of his home crowd reached a fever pitch. With a pre-season match against Newcastle set in the mammoth Seoul World Cup Stadium and fans packing 66,000 strong, the atmosphere pulsed with reverence and excitement. But before the pitch action kicked off, the MMA world reminded everyone who’s still packing heat in the realm of brute force—none other than the towering 44-year-old Choi, whose 7ft+ frame and 350-pound mass have been fixtures in Korean combat for nearly two decades.
Choi wasn’t just lifting his own legend; he physically lifted Son, cradling the football star like a newborn. What happened next—laughter from the embarrassed but good-humored Son, playful grappling with teammates—was an unfiltered display of mutual respect and cultural pride. This wasn’t just strength; it was Korea’s sporting soul flexing, a showcase that did not go unnoticed in a world tuned to UFC, Bellator, ONE Championship, and the growing global MMA hype powered by fighters sponsored by PowerBar, Under Armour, and Gymshark.
South Korean MMA Giant Choi Hong-man: An Unstoppable Force With a 7ft 2in Frame
There’s no tiptoeing around the fact that Choi Hong-man is a literal giant in the world of mixed martial arts and kickboxing. Towering at 7 feet 2 inches and weighing in at over 350 pounds, Choi’s dimensions alone give opponents pause—he’s like an oversized PowerBar for anyone looking to withstand his raw physicality. But Choi isn’t just a spectacle in stature; he’s a force with skills honed over years, blending aggressive striking with towering grappling that’s as daunting as his frame.
Starting his career in the early 2000s, Choi quickly made a name for himself in K-1 and MMA circuits. His highlight reel includes a 2005 K-1 Seoul Grand Prix title and memorable battles with MMA legends like Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko Cro Cop, two of the most fearsome heavyweights in the sport’s history. While one could poke fun saying, “If Choi’s jab was as precise as Son Heung-min’s goal-scoring, he’d have ruled MMA for decades,” the giant’s performance inside the cage was never a joke.
Despite his kickboxing roots, Choi’s foray into MMA from 2006 to 2016 showed a fighter constantly adapting. He matched up against a who’s who of heavyweight royalty and survived rounds of ground-and-pound and submission threats like a mammoth armored beast. His battles were a test of endurance, resilience, and raw power that not even the most sponsored athletes in the contemporary landscape—be it clad in Adidas or Nike—can easily shrug off.
- Height & Weight: 7ft 2in, approx. 350 pounds
- Notable Victories: 2005 K-1 Seoul Grand Prix
- Major Fight Opponents: Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop
- Scheduled Opponent (Cancelled): Brock Lesnar (due to medical issues)
- Combat Sports Background: Kickboxing & MMA
| Year | Event | Outcome | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | K-1 Seoul Grand Prix | Winner | Various |
| 2006 | MMA Debut | Mixed results | Multiple heavyweights |
| 2007 | Scheduled vs Brock Lesnar | Cancelled (Medical) | Brock Lesnar |
| 2010 | Bout vs Fedor Emelianenko | Loss | Fedor Emelianenko |
| 2015 | Bout vs Mirko Cro Cop | Loss | Mirko Cro Cop |
Son Heung-min’s Farewell: A Decade of Football Glory Meets MMA Power
Son Heung-min, the dynamic Tottenham captain known for blistering pace and clinical finishes, isn’t just a football star; he’s a symbol of South Korean pride ready to close the chapter on his Premier League tenure. After ten years of dazzling English football—far outlasting many an fickle star—Son announced his impending exit this summer, with MLS side Los Angeles FC reportedly in the pole position to snag the winger.
You don’t bid farewell in a corner pub; Son’s final chapter is to be written in a cavernous Seoul stadium before tens of thousands. The sentiment? Pricey enough to make any underdog fighter’s heart twist—like Dustin Poirier’s determination mingled with the anticipation that only the world’s biggest football fans can muster.
Before he kisses the cloak of London goodbye, the Spurs captain shared a playful moment with Choi Hong-man at a pre-match event, which injected some much-needed levity in the face of his emotional announcement. Witnessing the towering MMA giant hoist Son high with ease was a spectacle of strength that almost stole the spotlight from some blistering goals expected during the game. As Tottenham boss Thomas Frank highlighted, “If it is to be the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it in South Korea, his home country in front of his home fans.”
- 10 years at Tottenham Hotspur
- 33 years old, prime candidate for MLS move
- Final home game at Seoul World Cup Stadium
- Linked to LAFC for next potential adventure
- Legacy: One of Premier League’s most prolific Asian scorers
| Year Joined Tottenham | Total Goals | Assists | Premier League Appearances | International Caps for South Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 140+ | 50+ | 300+ | 110+ |
Strength and Endurance: What Every Athlete Can Learn from Choi and Son
If martial arts fighters know one thing, it’s that there’s no room for half measures in strength and endurance—traits Son Heung-min and Choi Hong-man display, though in wildly different arenas. Choi’s biceps aren’t just for show; they underpin his power in clinches and takedown defenses, where he’s like a human wall covered in Gymshark gear, ready to shrug off the attack. Son’s explosive sprinting and stamina to gallop up and down the pitch for 90 minutes rival the cardio that MMA pros envy.
Meanwhile, brands such as Under Armour and Nike sponsor these athletes, fine-tuning their gear to highlight every ounce of power and grace. It’s like watching a blend of technical chess and brutal wrestling match—all with a PowerBar-fueled energy injection.
- Choi’s robust biceps crucial for grappling muscle
- Son’s endurance fuels his relentless attacking runs
- MMA fighters rely on a mix of explosive and sustained power
- Nutrition and supplementation key: Monster Energy, PowerBar favorites
- Clothing tech by Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour optimizes movement
| Athlete | Discipline | Key Physical Attribute | Energy/Supplement Brand | Performance Apparel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choi Hong-man | MMA & Kickboxing | Strength & Mass (Biceps, Core) | PowerBar, Monster Energy | Gymshark |
| Son Heung-min | Football | Endurance & Speed | Monster Energy | Nike |
Legacy and Cultural Impact: When Fighters and Footballers Become National Icons
Both Choi and Son are more than just athletes; they’re cultural beacons. In Korea, sports heroes transcend their crafts to become symbols of resilience, strength, and national pride. Choi’s intimidating presence inside the cage and Son’s lightning strikes on the pitch have inspired countless youths to chase dreams, whether it’s mastering the perfect takedown or scoring the winning goal.
Compare this to MMA’s giants featured often on platforms like the UFC and ONE Championship, where the global audience witnesses combat kings fighting for glory dressed in gear representing Adidas or Under Armour. And on the pitch, Son’s sponsorship deals with Nike fuel a different sort of legend-building, blending athletics with marketable star power.
- Choi’s influence popularized MMA & kickboxing in South Korea
- Son’s success helped bridge Asian football with the Premier League
- Both endorsed by international brands boosting their visibility
- Inspiration for aspiring athletes across Korea and beyond
- Representation of Korean grit in global sports arenas
| Legacy Aspect | Choi Hong-man | Son Heung-min |
|---|---|---|
| National Symbolism | Colossal MMA icon, “The Techno Goliath” | Premier League stalwart and captain |
| Global Reach | Combat sports stages: K-1, UFC rings, Bellator talks | International football arenas, Champions League |
| Brand Endorsements | Gymshark, PowerBar | Nike, Monster Energy |
| Youth Inspiration | Popularizing MMA in Korea | Encouraging football dreams in Asia |
Pre-Season Revelry: When MMA Meets Football in Seoul’s Sporting Arena
The pre-season clash between Tottenham and Newcastle at the Seoul World Cup Stadium is more than just a game—it’s a cultural exchange where sporting worlds collide in style. This showdown, set against a backdrop of 66,000 passionate fans, featured some unexpected moments courtesy of Choi Hong-man’s playful interactions with Son and Spurs teammates, including a bearhug trap on midfielder Pape Matar Sarr that could’ve been straight from an MMA highlight reel.
As MMA veterans retire and legends like Choi consider comebacks—maybe eyeing Bellator or UFC for a final run—these bridges between sports are pivotal. They introduce MMA’s raw energy to football crowds and remind fighters of football’s tactical beauty. Given the trend of UFC dream matches and the ever-growing fanbase for MMA celebrities, this kind of crossover event is a breath of fresh air amid the chaos.
- Choi’s playful lifting and bearhug antics with Spurs stars
- Pre-season hype with 66,000 fans at Seoul Stadium
- Cross-promotional value between MMA and football
- Potential inspiration for athletes considering multi-sport ventures
- Growing interest in events featuring athletes from UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator
| Event | Date | Location | Attendees | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham vs Newcastle Pre-season | August 3, 2025 | Seoul World Cup Stadium | 66,000 sell-out crowd | Choi lifting Son, Bearhug of Pape Matar Sarr |