First Indonesian fighter in UFC to make debut

MANILA, Philippines – Indonesia’s first UFC fighter Jeka Saragih makes his debut on Sunday, November 19m in UFC Fight Night: Brendan Allen vs Paul Craig at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The 28-year old Saragih (13-3, fighting out of Simalungun, Indonesia) impressed with back-to-back highlight reel finishes in the first season of the Road to UFC. Now competing at his natural featherweight division, he looks to grab that all-important win in his first walk to the Octagon versus Lucas Alexander (12-5, fighting out of Orlando, Florida, by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

For much of his mixed martial arts career, Saragih fought in Indonesia, where he won the One Pride MMA Lightweight Championship in April of 2017. He managed five successful defenses before losing to Angga Hans in February 2020.

He was able to win back the lightweight title in May of 2022, then he received the invitation to participate in the Road to the UFC, which was first held in Singapore in June of 2022.

He knocked out Pawan Maan Singh with spinning back fist in the third round to advance.

Saragih then stopped Korean Bin Ki-won in the first round of their semifinal encounter in Abu Dhabi. 

Although he lost to Indian Anshul Jubli in the finals, his performances earned him a UFC contract.

Filipino fans will get to watch their fellow Asian in Saragih when he fights in UFC Fight Night. His fight is slated 3 a.m. Sunday. The fight will be televised live in the Philippines on the Premier Sports Channel on Sky and Cignal as well as on streaming site Blast TV.