UFC"The Korean Tyson"Seok Hyeon Ko Record: 13-2-0
WelterweightRecord13-2-0
Age32
DivisionWelterweight · #81
Combat Edge Elo1676
Last fightFeb 21 2026
Seok Hyeon Ko has a 13-2-0 professional record and is 32 years old in the Welterweight division, representing Havas MMA. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Seok Hyeon Ko bio
Personal background
Seok Hyeon Ko is a South Korean welterweight fighting in the UFC's 170-pound division, where the powerful boxer-grappler known as "The Korean Tyson" has compiled a 13-2 record. Born on September 24, 1993, in Busan, South Korea, Ko built his foundation in sambo before transitioning to mixed martial arts, and the grappling roots show: he captured a gold medal in the men's 82kg combat sambo division at the 2017 FIAS World Championships in Sochi, becoming the first Korean to win a sambo world title. He fights out of Havas MMA in Seoul, and at 5'10" with a 71-inch reach he marries that wrestling and sambo base to the heavy hands that earned his Mike Tyson-inspired nickname.
Path to the UFC
Ko turned professional in 2018 and learned quickly how thin the margins are, dropping his second pro bout by knockout to Sasha Palatnikov in early 2018. He absorbed the lesson and went on a long climb through the Asian circuit, becoming a champion in Korea's AFC promotion and stacking wins across AFC, HEAT and other regional shows. A signature regional moment came in April 2023, when he stopped Japanese veteran Ryuta Sakurai by second-round referee stoppage at a co-promoted AFC 24 x HEAT 51 card. His route to the big leagues ran through Dana White's Contender Series in September 2024, where he outpointed unbeaten Brazilian Igor Cavalcanti over three rounds to earn his UFC contract.
Inside the Octagon
Ko made the most of his debut. In June 2025 he faced Welsh prospect Oban Elliott and turned in a wrestling masterclass, controlling the action en route to a lopsided unanimous decision and immediately validating the grappling pedigree behind his nickname. He backed it up in November 2025, taking another clear unanimous decision over American veteran Phil Rowe to push his UFC start to 2-0 and extend a winning streak that had grown into one of the longer active runs in the welterweight division.
Fighting style
Ko is a well-balanced welterweight whose record splits evenly between finishes and the scorecards: six of his 13 wins have come by knockout and the other seven by decision, for a finish rate around 46 percent. His sambo and wrestling base lets him dictate where fights take place, grinding out control time and takedowns when he wants the safer path, while his boxing gives him the power to end nights early, as his nickname promises. Notably, both of his career losses have come by knockout, a reminder that for all his control-oriented dominance he can be caught when he stands and trades, which makes his recent emphasis on grappling-heavy game plans a smart evolution.
Career highlights
- Sambo world champion — won gold in combat sambo at the 2017 FIAS World Championships in Sochi, becoming the first Korean to claim a sambo world title.
- UFC debut masterclass — dominated Oban Elliott via wrestling-heavy unanimous decision in June 2025 to open his Octagon run with a statement.
- 2-0 UFC start — followed up by clearly outpointing Phil Rowe in November 2025 to extend a lengthy winning streak.
Career snapshot
Seok Hyeon Ko career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1676Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#577
Welterweight#81of 200 active
Peak1676
Last move+16
Opponent quality1536avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1676 Elo after defeating Phil Rowe (2025-11-01)
Similar Elo in Welterweight
Recent Elo history
WinPhil Rowe2025-11-01 | Decision (unanimous)+16WinOban Elliott2025-06-21 | Decision (unanimous)+18WinIgor Cavalcanti2024-09-03 | Decision (Unanimous)+10WinAlwin Kincai2023-12-08 | KO (Punches)+12WinRyuta Sakurai2023-04-06 | TKO (Referee Stoppage)+15Seok Hyeon Ko quick answers
What is Seok Hyeon Ko's record?
Seok Hyeon Ko's professional MMA record is 13-2-0.
How old is Seok Hyeon Ko?
Seok Hyeon Ko is 32 years old.
What weight class is Seok Hyeon Ko?
Seok Hyeon Ko fights at Welterweight in UFC.
How tall is Seok Hyeon Ko?
Seok Hyeon Ko is 5'10" tall with a 71" reach.
How much does Seok Hyeon Ko weigh?
Seok Hyeon Ko competes at Welterweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 170 lbs.
What is Seok Hyeon Ko's Combat Edge Elo?
Seok Hyeon Ko's Combat Edge Elo is 1676, with a peak Elo of 1676.
How strong is Seok Hyeon Ko's recent opposition?
Seok Hyeon Ko's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1536 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Seok Hyeon Ko's last fight?
Seok Hyeon Ko's latest tracked pro fight was against Jacobe Smith at UFC Fight Night on Feb 21 2026.
What is Seok Hyeon Ko's recent form?
Seok Hyeon Ko's recent tracked pro form is W-W-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Seok Hyeon Ko usually win?
Seok Hyeon Ko's 13 recorded wins include 6 knockouts, 0 submissions, and 7 decisions, with 46% ending before the final bell.
6Wins by knockout
0Wins by submission
7Wins by decision
2Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
0Loss by decision
Seok Hyeon Ko stats
Record : 13 / 2 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.73Fighter2.98Division average
Significant striking accuracy
59%Fighter44%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
1.42Fighter3.83Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
59%Fighter52%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
4Fighter1.38Division average
Takedown accuracy
63%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
75%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.33Fighter0.63Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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