Ji Yeon Kim (born October 18, 1989) is a South Korean mixed martial artist (MMA). She was the Jewels and Gladiator women’s bantamweight champion. She competes in the Women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of June 16, 2020, she is #14 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings Kim was born and raised in Incheon, South Korea. She started training in the 8th grade after seeing a kickboxing match on television, which set off her desire for a career in combat sports. Kim started her professional MMA career in 2013 and fought primarily in South Korea and Japan. Kim acquired a six-fight winning streak and became the Jewels and Gladiator women’s bantamweight champion prior to joining the UFC. Kim made her UFC debut on June 17, 2017. Kim faced Lucie Pudilová at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia in Singapore. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Kim next faced Justine Kish on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson. She won the fight via split decision. Her third fight cam on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Edwards against Melinda Fábián. She won the fight via split decision. Kim faced Antonina Shevchenko, replacing injured Ashlee Evans-Smith, on November 30, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. At the weigh-ins, Kim weighed in at 130.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit of 126. She was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to her opponent Shevchenko. The bout proceeded at catchweight. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Kim is scheduled to face Nadia Kassem on October 6, 2019 at UFC 243.  At the weigh-ins, Kim weighed in at 128 pounds, 2 pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit of 126. Kim was fined 30% of her purse, which went to her opponent Kassem. She won the fight via technical knockout in round two. Kim was scheduled to face Sabina Mazo on December 21, 2019 on UFC on ESPN+ 23. However, on November 1, 2019, it was reported that Kim was forced to pull from the event due to undisclosed injury. Kim was scheduled to face Alexa Grasso on June 27, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. However, due to travel restrictions for both fighters due to COVID-19 pandemic, the bout was rescheduled on August 29, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178.