KOMPAS.com – Indonesian MMA fighter, Jeka Saragih, is one step away from getting an exclusive contract from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
This was inseparable from the success of Jeka Saragih in overthrowing the South Korean fighter, Ki Won-bin, on Sunday (23/10/2022) night WIB.
The duel Jeka Saragih vs. Ki Won-bin is the first semifinal fight of Road to UFC which was held at Crowne Plaza, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Jeka Saragih appeared solid and only needed 2 minutes 41 seconds to overthrow Ki Won-bin via knock-out.
The key moment for Jeka Saragih’s victory was when his right hand hit Ki Won-bin’s face.
Also read: Winning at Road to UFC, Jeka Saragih wants to meet President Jokowi
Jeka Saragih’s punch made Ki Won-bin immediately fall and was deemed unable to continue the fight.
Jeka Saragih was finally declared the winner and qualified for the Road to UFC final.
Thanks to the victory over Ki Won-bin, Jeka Saragih is one step away from getting a contract from the UFC.
This was confirmed directly by Kevin Chang, UFC’s Senior Vice President and Head of Asia.
“Jeka Saragih has had two outstanding performances in the opening round and semifinals of the Road to UFC tournament,” Kevin Chang told Kompas.com.
“With this victory (vs Kim Won-bin), Jeka advances to the final round of the lightweight division, where he will compete to become the first Indonesian to get a UFC contract,” said Kevin Chang.
Reflecting on Kevin Chang’s statement, Jeka Saragih must win Road to UFC if he wants to get a contract.
Also read: Road to UFC Results: Jeka Saragih Wins KO in the First Round!
JEKA SARAGIH DOES IT AGAIN ????
[ #RoadToUFC is LIVE on @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/PbU4aff5DT
— UFC (@ufc) October 23, 2022
Meanwhile, Fransino Tirta as Jeka Saragih’s manager previously expressed a different opinion.
Fransino Tirta claims that Jeka Saragih is certain to get a contract from the UFC after successfully defeating Ki Won-bin.
However, Fransino Tirta still cannot confirm the duration or amount of the contract that will be received by Jeka Saragih.
Fransino Tirta also admitted that he received information about the contract directly from UFC match maker Mick Maynard.
Also read: Support from the Indonesian Ambassador to Jeka Saragih on Road to UFC
“Finalists will get a contract (from UFC). If he (Jeka) wins, the contract will certainly be better,” said Fransino Tirta.
“If you win second place, the contract will certainly be lower. This means that both (Road to UFC finalists) will get a contract,” said Fransino Tirta.
“That is a confirmation from Mick Maynard,” said the CEO of ONE Pride.
For information, Road to UFC is an event aimed at MMA fighters from Asia.
Each participant will compete for strength to get a contract from the UFC.
Indonesia actually sent five fighters to Road to UFC. However, only Jeka Saragih still survives and has now successfully qualified for the final.
In the Road to UFC final later, Jeka Saragih will face the winner of the duel Anshul Jubi (India) vs Kyung Pyo Kim (South Korea).
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