Youngseung Cho

Born on May 18, 1993, in South Korea, Youngseung Cho built an active foundation from an early age, exploring a range of sports before committing fully to martial arts. Taekwondo, a discipline deeply woven into South Korean culture, became his first serious pursuit — one he embraced with enough dedication to earn a 4th-degree black belt, a rank that speaks to both technical depth and long-term commitment to the striking art.

The pivotal moment in his grappling journey arrived during middle school, when Cho watched Dong-Hyun Kim — known as "StunGun" — compete inside the UFC's Octagon. Energized by the Korean fighter's performances, Cho sought out jiu-jitsu training and began studying under Changuk Jung of the John Frankl Association. Jung proved to be far more than a technical instructor; he became a central figure in Cho's development both on and off the mats, guiding the young martial artist through every stage of his progression.

Cho's combined background in taekwondo striking and grappling made him a natural fit for mixed martial arts, and in the mid-2010s he pursued that path with purpose. He compiled a professional record of 5 wins and 1 loss before stepping away from cage competition in 2017 — a calculated exit rather than a forced one.

With MMA behind him, Cho redirected his full focus to jiu-jitsu, a discipline he had never truly abandoned but was ready to prioritize completely. The commitment paid off. In 2018, Changuk Jung promoted Cho to the rank of black belt, closing a chapter that had begun under the same instructor at white belt. The promotion stood as both a formal milestone and a reaffirmation of the enduring bond between athlete and coach.

Few competitors on the IBJJF circuit can point to consistent podium results across as many belt levels as Youngseung Cho. His record at the IBJJF Asian Open traces a particularly compelling arc through his career: gold at purple belt in 2015, gold again at brown belt in 2018, and a third title at black belt in 2019 — a sequence that reflects sustained excellence at one of Asia's most prestigious regional tournaments. A silver medal at the same event at brown belt in 2017 further underscores how consistently he performed at the top of each division he entered.

International Circuit Results

Cho's results extend well beyond regional competition. In 2022, he reached the final of the IBJJF Rome Open at black belt, earning a silver medal on the European circuit. He carried that momentum into 2023, taking gold at the IBJJF Baton Rouge Open and silver at the IBJJF Denver Open — results that confirm his standing as a durable and competitive presence on the global stage.

Cho competes primarily at Peso Pena (70 kg / 154.5 lbs) and Peso Leve (76 kg / 168 lbs), representing South Korea — one of Asia's most prominent nations on the IBJJF circuit — in all international competition.