Alexander Volkanovski has been a superb champion but he took his game to another level on Saturday in pummeling Chan Sung Jung, aka “The Korean Zombie,” to retain the featherweight title in the main event of UFC 273 at Jacksonville, Florida’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

Volkanovski outclassed the Zombie in every area of the game and stopped him at 45 seconds of the fourth round on what was essentially a mercy call by referee Herb Dean. Jung was in serious jeopardy after the third, having been hit by two of every three significant strikes Volkanovski threw.

Volkanovski landed 72 of 108 significant strikes and 83 of 120 total strikes. He also landed three of six takedown attempts.

Jung had no answer in any area. Volkanovski was quicker, more accurate and had more weapons in his arsenal. It was little more than target practice.

“I told you before this fight, I’m on another level now,” Volkanovski said. “I can’t be stopped and I showed that. He took a lot more [punishment] than I wanted him to, but that’s the game we’re in.”

Volkanovski has now won 21 in a row overall and 24 of 25 in his MMA career and sits atop what is arguably the UFC’s best division. He has an insatiable desire to win and an amazing work ethic.

There are no shortcuts or secrets to his success.

“It’s just drive,” Volkanovski said. “It’s drive to be better, always to be better. You can be better everywhere. I just keep looking for ways to improve.”

Jung said he entered the fight more confident than he’d ever been. But he was never in it and his face showed the beating he took.

He said he’s going to mull his options.

“After every loss, I think about leaving the Octagon and leaving this MMA game,” he said. “I’ll need more time to think on it to see if I’ll continue fighting or leave the Octagon.”