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Ortega on 'Korean Zombie': 'You call me out, let's get down'

Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC / UFC / Getty

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Brian Ortega was surprised when featherweight "Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung called him out in a series of Instagram posts last month.

"'Korean Zombie' talking a little bit of smack (was) odd," Ortega told theScore while representing Modelo at the UFC 241 Fan Experience. "(Him throwing) shots out there kind of made it easy. It was like, 'Alright, let's make this fight happen.'"

Jung seemingly challenged Ortega to a bout at UFC Mexico City next month. Despite the repeated taunts, Ortega said a fight between the two has yet to be finalized.

"After his last performance, I feel like he did a great job," Ortega said. "Now it’s like, 'OK, I haven't got a contract with your name on it yet. Nor have I received anything yet. Once I get that, then we will go out there and fight.' ... You call me out, let's get down."

Jung (15-5) is coming off a 58-second TKO victory over Renato Moicano at UFC Greenville in June. The 32-year-old is one of the few ranked featherweights currently without an opponent.

Ortega (14-1) hasn't fought since his unanimous decision defeat to featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 231 in December. The 28-year-old was linked to a potential bout against Zabit Magomedsharipov this summer, but Ortega says he was never offered that fight. Regardless, the California native wants to get back inside the Octagon as soon as possible.

"I'm dying to get (back in there). ... I'm excited to show the world my new improvements and let 'em see the 2.0 version of me."

Watch the full interview with Ortega below and subscribe to theScoreMMA Youtube channel here.

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