He first experienced martial arts when he was 13 years old training in Boxing, and started training in Taekwondo in his midteens. But these trainings were just as hobbies. So later he felt eagerness to pursue martial arts as a professional. After finishing a mandatory military service in his country, he was scouted by the head coach of his current team while training in his boxing gym. After only three months scouted, Lim made his professional MMA debut in February 2006 in the Spirit MC promotion in his native South Korea. Over the next few years, he also fought for the Heat, DEEP, M-1 Global and Pacific Xtreme Combat promotions. After beating Ryan Biglar at the PXC 32 event in July 2012, he became the PXC welterweight champion.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In August 2012, the UFC announced that they had signed Lim. Lim was originally set to make his UFC debut against Marcelo Guimarães on November 10, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 6. However, Guimarães was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by David Mitchell. Then, just prior to the weigh in for the event, the bout was scrapped after Lim was declared medically unfit to compete by UFC doctors. Lim vs. Guimarães was then rescheduled for March 3, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 8. Lim was successful in his debut, winning via KO in the second round. Lim faced Pascal Krauss on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164. He defeated Krauss by KO with a knee and follow up punches in the first round. The win also earned Lim his first Fight of the Night bonus award. Lim was expected to face Kiichi Kunimoto on January 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 34. However, in late November, event headliner Jake Ellenberger pulled out of the event citing an injury and Lim stepped up to face Tarec Saffiedine in the main event. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Despite the loss on the scorecards, the bout brought Lim his second consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award. Lim next faced Takenori Sato on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. Lim faced Neil Magny on May 16, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 66. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. Lim was expected to face Dominique Steele on November 28, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 79. However, Lim pulled out of the fight in the week leading up to the event and was replaced by promotional newcomer Dong Hyun Kim. Lim was expected to face Sultan Aliev on August 20, 2016 at UFC 202. However, Aliev pulled out of the fight in early August citing a wrist injury. Lim faced promotional newcomer Mike Perry. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. Lim faced Daichi Abe at UFC Fight Night 117 on September 23, 2017. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. On October 23, 2018, it was reported that Lim was released from UFC.
Double G FC
On November 18, 2018, Lim faced Igor Svirid at Double G FC's inaugural event in Seoul, South Korea. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Championships and accomplishments
Pacific Xtreme Combat
* PXC Welterweight Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
* Fight of the Night
MMAJunkie.com
* 2014 January Fight of the Month vs. Tarec Saffiedine
