Dong Hyun Kim

He is also a regular guest in Korean variety shows and talk shows. He has attended more than seventy TV shows since 2010. On June 16, 2013, he featured as the 'Hulk' on Running Man episode 150 (SBS Sunday night show). On this episode he led the character that transformed to Hulk mode in Running Man Avengers. On March 22, 2015, Kim reappeared on Running Man in episode 239 as a guest. Kim was also featured along with fellow UFC fighter Yoshihiro Akiyama in the Korean boy band MYNAME's drama music video for their single "Baby I'm Sorry". On June 26, 2016, Kim returned as a guest on Running Man in episode 305. Kim is regular cast member of Great Escape Season 1 of 2018 and Season 2 of 2019. In 2019, he guest-starred on Not the Person You Used To Know, where he appeared as one of the friends of Hani of EXID.

In September, 2018, he announced his marriage to Song Ha-ryul in various variety shows,[8] then revealed her pregnancy on February 14, 2019 episode of Amazing Saturday.[9]

Kim gained recognition after signing with the Japanese DEEP organization, earning a succession of wins before knocking out DEEP welterweight champion Hidehiko Hasegawa in a non-title bout in 2007. Kim and Hasegawa later fought to a controversial draw in a title fight at DEEP 32nd Impact, leaving defending champion Hasegawa with the title. Kim departed from DEEP to sign a contract with PRIDE Fighting Championships, but the UFC purchased and dismantled PRIDE before Kim could fight in the organization. Kim's performances attracted the attention of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) talent scouts, who offered him a contract. However, because the WEC is not televised in Korea, Kim's management pushed for and received a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which airs on Korean cable television.

Kim's original nickname is "Stun Gun", then a lot of Korean fans started calling him "Maemi", which means Cicada in Korean. The nickname was given to Kim from his fighting style where he likes to take his opponents to the ground, grapple with them and never let them escape like a Cicada on a tree.

Kim made his UFC debut at UFC 84 against Jason Tan, methodically breaking down his opponent and ultimately winning by technical knockout in the third round. With his performance, Kim became the first Korean to win in the octagon.[10] Kim's appearance drew considerable attention in Korea. One week before the event, a prime time, hour-long special about Kim was aired on Korean television. Though Kim's bout did not air on the UFC pay-per-view, it aired live on Korean television, and was then replayed twice more before the regular event coverage resumed.[11]

He made his second octagon appearance at UFC 88, capturing a split decision over The Ultimate Fighter 7 alumnus Matt Brown. During this fight, Kim's conditioning was very poor due to jet lag, and visa problems prevented him from bringing a coach. In the first round, Kim threatened Brown with a standing rear-naked choke and took Brown's back on numerous occasions but became exhausted in the second. In the third, Kim used some effective ground-and-pound and cut Brown with an elbow. All three judges scored the bout 29–28, two in Kim's favor and one in Brown's favor. The decision was contested by the crowd in attendance with noticeable booing.[12]

Kim returned to the octagon in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31, 2009, as he faced off against fellow judo practitioner Karo Parisyan at UFC 94. With Frank Mir in his corner who served as his boxing coach prior to the fight.[13] Kim originally lost to Parisyan via split decision. Fans in attendance booed the decision, and former UFC champions Matt Hughes,[14] Randy Couture[15] and UFC president Dana White[16] have commented that they thought Kim had won the fight. Afterwards, however, Parisyan tested positive for three banned pain killers: Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone and Oxymorphone.[17][18] The Nevada Athletic Commission declared the match a No Contest, and Parisyan was suspended for nine months.[19] Later on March 5, 2009, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[20]

Kim defeated TJ Grant at UFC 100, winning by a unanimous decision, threatening with a guillotine choke midway through the second round. He was scheduled to fight Dan Hardy on November 14, 2009, at UFC 105, but was forced to withdraw due to ligament injuries of his right knee while sparring with Kazuhiro Nakamura [21][22] and was subsequently replaced on the card by Mike Swick.

Kim was expected to face Chris Lytle on February 21, 2010, at UFC 110.[23] However, Kim was forced off the card after suffering knee injury again.[24] Brian Foster stepped in as his replacement.

Kim next faced The Ultimate Fighter season 7 winner, Amir Sadollah on May 29, 2010, at UFC 114 and won via unanimous decision, dominating Sadollah with far superior judo.

Kim was then expected to face fellow undefeated fighter John Hathaway at UFC 120,[25] though he was later replaced by Mike Pyle due to elbow ligament injury from training.[26]

Kim defeated The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner, Nate Diaz on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125 via unanimous decision.[27] Kim used his judo to control rounds 1 and 2. Diaz mounted a remarkable offense in Round 3, but it was not enough and Kim won a decision over Diaz. After the fight Kim called out current UFC welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre, whom he considers a hero and role model to himself as a mixed martial artist. Later on January 10, 2011, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[28]

Kim lost to Carlos Condit on July 2, 2011, at UFC 132 via first-round KO due to a flying knee.[29] This loss was the first of his professional MMA career.

Kim fought Sean Pierson on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141.[30] Kim used superior striking to control Pierson throughout the fight and win a unanimous decision, even landing a leaping front-kick to the face in the second round that wobbled Pierson.[31]

Kim lost to Demian Maia via TKO on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148.[32] The bout was stopped in forty-seven seconds in the first round by referee Mario Yamasaki, after Maia took Kim down and ended up in the mounted position. Many observers, including the UFC commentator Joe Rogan, thought that Kim had broken a rib during the bout, but it was later revealed that he suffered a major muscle spasm while defending Maia's takedown attempts.[33]

Kim faced Paulo Thiago on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[34] He dominated Thiago on the ground for all three rounds, ending the bout with a wild display of ground and pound reminiscent of Kazushi Sakuraba. He won via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, and 30–27).[35]

Kim fought Siyar Bahadurzada on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8.[36] He earned a unanimous decision victory.[37]

Kim then faced Erick Silva on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.[38] He won via knockout at 3:01 of the second round, earning him his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[39][40] Later on October 30, 2013, Kim signed a four fight extension with the UFC.[41]

Kim faced John Hathaway on March 1, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale.[42] Kim defeated Hathaway via third-round knockout, earning him his first Performance of the Night honors.[43][44]

Kim was expected to face Hector Lombard on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 48.[45] However, Lombard pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Tyron Woodley.[46] Kim lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[47]

Kim faced Josh Burkman on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187.[48] Kim won the fight via submission in the third round.[49]

Kim was expected to face Jorge Masvidal on November 28, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 79.[50] However, on November 14, it was announced that Masvidal would instead face Benson Henderson at the event after his scheduled opponent Thiago Alves pulled out of their fight.[51] Kim instead faced Dominic Waters.[52] Kim won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[53]

Kim was expected to face Neil Magny on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202.[54] However, Kim was removed from the fight on July 12 and was replaced by Lorenz Larkin.[55]

Kim was expected to face Gunnar Nelson on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 99.[56] However, on October 21, it was announced that Nelson pulled out due to an injury and the fight was off. In turn, Kim was removed from the card and will be rescheduled for a future event.[57]

Kim faced Tarec Saffiedine on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207.[58] Kim was awarded a split decision victory.[59]

Kim faced Colby Covington on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 111.[60] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[61]

• 2013 ADCC Korea 88kg: 1st place [82]

• 2018 6th Korean Art And Cultural Awards - Sportainer [83]
• 2019 Korea First Brand Awards - Sportainer [84]
• 2020 Brand Of The Year Awards - Sportainer [85]
• 2020 2020 SBS Entertainment Awards - Excellence Award in Show/Variety Category [86]