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Jeka Saragih: Breaking New Ground for Indonesia
Jeka Saragih’s Career Has Been Packed Full Of Firsts, And This Weekend At UFC Fight Night: Perez vs Taira, He’ll Attempt To Add Another To The List.
Jeka Saragih has already racked up a list of firsts in his career.
He was the first fighter from Indonesia to earn a spot on the UFC roster, then, in his most recent outing, he became the first Indonesian fighter to win, thanks to his victory over Lucas Alexander. Winning by knockout ensured he also picked up Indonesia’s first finish, and first KO in the Octagon, too.
“Of course, I feel very happy about that knockout,” Saragih told UFC.com.
“That knockout showed the world that Indonesian fighters can do well in the UFC, and Indonesian fighters can do something to show the world.”
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That knockout put Saragih, and Indonesian MMA, on the map, and was celebrated as such back home, where his friends, family and fans celebrated his success on the other side of the world.
“The response from my family, it’s very positive, and then I do a lot of things for my people back home. That's why the people in my hometown give a lot of positive response,” he explained.
“They always pray for me to win the fight in the UFC.”
With his first UFC win, and first UFC finish, under his belt, Saragih will take on Westin Wilson this weekend at the UFC APEX. It will be his third appearance in the Octagon, and he said he’s starting to to become familiar with his surroundings as he looks to build momentum in the UFC’s featherweight division.
“Fighting is already part of my life, and I don't think I need to be nervous about my fight,” he said.
“I just try to enjoy all of my fights. That's it.
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“It's a busy week for me. But, as we know, if you fight in the UFC, you have to do a lot of media, and we know because we are fighting in the biggest competition in the world. And we are accustomed with all of that – the schedule, the media day, the weight cut, the fight day, everything.”
Saragih’s UFC camps have seen him swap Indonesia for California, where he trains as part of the MMA Fight Academy in Solana Beach, San Diego. The gym is packed with young, up-and-coming prospects, who train under the tutelage of former Matt Hughes H.I.T. Squad coach Marc Fiore and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Jake Buracker.
Jeka Saragih Delivers A Powerful KO In Round 1 | UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Craig
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Jeka Saragih Delivers A Powerful KO In Round 1 | UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Craig
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Saragih paid tribute to coach Fiore for helping him not only prepare for life on the world stage, but also helping him adapt to life in California.
“My coach is really helpful for me during the fight, and during the training camp before the fight,” he explained.
“For me, it's not just about a coach, he's already like my father in the United States, and I just want to say thank you.”
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Under the guidance of Fiore and Buracker, Saragih has prepared for Wilson, who enters the bout in search of his first UFC victory. Saragih likes the matchup, and sees routes to victory, regardless of where the fight takes them.
I think I have the advantage against Westin in striking, because it's my base, but I'm pretty sure I can finish him in ground fighting too,” he said.
“I have already prepared my ground fighting really hard, and I'm ready for everything – standup or ground.”
He may be getting more familiar with life in the UFC and training in the United States, but he still has a life back home in Indonesia, and recent news has given him added motivation to take his career to new levels, as he revealed that he became a father during his training camp.
“I’m pretty sure I will win the fight and I think God already has a plan for me, because I already sacrificed a lot of things in my life,” he explained.
“I left my family to go to training camp, and I left my daughter, who was just born a couple of weeks (ago) to fly back to San Diego and do a training camp again. That’s my main motivation to win the fight.”
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That means added motivation, and the chance at another first – his first UFC win as a father. But Saragih’s sights are set much higher than just another win. He wants to make even more history for his nation.
“I’m the first Indonesian to fight in UFC,” he said.
“If God has a plan, I want to be the first Indonesian who has the UFC belt.”
UFC Fight Night: Perez vs Taira took place live from UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 15, 2024. See the final Prelim and Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
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