Ko Seok-hyun made weight for his UFC Fight Night bout in Oklahoma City and left the official weigh-in with a new nickname, a clear message and a confident outlook ahead of fight night.
On the 19th, Ko weighed 76.7kg for his welterweight matchup with Jean-Paul Mendy, who came in at 77.6kg, for UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs Usman at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. The bout is set for the day after the weigh-in, giving Ko a straightforward path into the cage after hitting the scale on target.
Ko says his condition is fine
After the weigh-in, Ko said he lost more weight than expected and chose to focus on recovery first. He added that his condition is excellent and that he does not think there is anything to worry about.
That matters because Ko entered the week with enough uncertainty around the cut to make the weigh-in a meaningful checkpoint. Passing it cleanly allows him to shift attention back to the fight itself, where he said he expects to perform well.
Ko also said that seeing his opponent gives him even more confidence and that he will bring home a victory tomorrow. At the same time, he stressed that all UFC fighters are strong and that his focus needs to stay on his own development.
New nickname, same goal
Ko announced that he will move forward with a new nickname: Technical. He said his previous nickname, Korean Tyson, was taken from Mike Tyson, and he wanted something that felt more like his own identity.
The change fits the tone of his comments before the fight. Ko said he does not want to think too much about the opponent and instead wants to keep improving as a fighter. He also made it clear what he wants most in this bout: a finish.
That would be a notable milestone because Ko has not had a finish in the UFC yet. A decisive result would give him a strong first impression under the Technical label and a useful boost as he continues building his place on the roster.
More than a fight week moment
The timing adds another layer to the story. Ko is scheduled to get married next month, and he said his fiancée told him the match comes first. He described himself as grateful and said he loves her.
For now, the immediate focus is simple: recover, enter the cage healthy and see whether the new nickname matches the performance. Ko made weight, sounded confident and set a clear target. The rest comes on fight night.
