Jeka Saragih

Jeka Saragih
Born (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 29)
Raya, Simalungun, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Other namesSi Tendangan Maut (The Death Kick)
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight146 lb (66 kg; 10 st 6 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight (2023–present)
Lightweight (2016–2023)
Reach69 in (175 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofSimalungun, Indonesia
TeamStudio 540
MMA Fight Academy (2023–present)[2]
Years active2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins14
By knockout9
By submission4
By decision1
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jeka Saragih (born (1995-01-01)1 January 1995) is an Indonesian mixed martial artist[3] who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC),[4] where he became the first person from Indonesia to qualify for the final of Road to UFC Season 1, after defeating Ki Won Bin in the semifinal by knockout.[5] He is the first Indonesian fighter to sign with the UFC.[6]

Background

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Jeka was born in Bah Pasunsang, Raya, Simalungun, North Sumatra.[7] He is a descendant of the Batak Simalungun. Jeka began his martial arts career by starting wushu in 2013 and won the national championship in Yogyakarta and had the opportunity to represent North Sumatra in the title of National Sports Week.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career

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Despite his busy schedule at work, Jeka continued to hone his martial arts skills, until finally becoming an apprentice at Yakop Sutjipto's Batam Fighter Club (BFC) gym. Jeka received an offer from the owner of BFC to take part in the One Pride Championship , starting his career in the lightweight division.[9][10]

In April 2017, Jeka won the One Pride Lightweight championship, after successfully defeating the reigning champion, Ngapdi Mulidy, by TKO in the first round. He would go on to defend his title 4 times, before eventually losing it in February 2020, when he was submitted in the 4th round by Angga Hans via rear naked choke. He would rebound with two straight victories, before winning the Interim Lightweight Championship against Hatoropan Simbolon via second round TKO stoppage.[9]

Road to UFC

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Saragih faced Pawan Maan Singh in the Quarter-Finals of the Lightweight tournament on June 9, 2022 in Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 2.[11] He won the bout in the third round, knocking out Singh with a spinning back fist.[12]

Saragih faced Ki Won Bin in the Semi-Finals of the Lightweight tournament on October 23, 2022 at Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 5.[13] He won the bout in the first round, knocking out Bin.[14]

In the finals of the tournament, Saragih faced Anshul Jubli on February 4, 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac.[15] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Saragih was scheduled to face Jesse Butler on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232.[17] However, Butler withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Charlie Campbell.[18] With Campbell also out of the fight, Saragih was next booked against Lucas Alexander.[19] At the weigh-ins, Alexander weighed in at 148 pounds, two pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Alexander being fined 20% of his purse which went to Saragih.[20] Saragih won the fight by knockout in the first round.[21] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[22]

Saragih faced Westin Wilson on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58.[23] He lost the fight by an armbar submission in the first round.[24]

Personal life

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In 2017, Jeka Saragih won the championship for the One Pride MMA competition for the 70 kg class in 2017.[25] In 2018, he was also asked to carry the Asian Games torch around North Sumatra.[26]

Saragih has a daughter (born 2024).[2]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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  • One Pride MMA
    • OPMMA Lightweight Championship (One time)
      • Four successful title defenses
    • Interim OPMMA Lightweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
18 matches 14 wins 4 losses
By knockout 9 1
By submission 4 3
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–4 Westin Wilson Submission (triangle armbar) UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira June 15, 2024 1 1:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–3 Lucas Alexander KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig November 18, 2023 1 1:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Featherweight debut; Alexander missed weight (148 lb). Performance of the Night.
Loss 13–3 Anshul Jubli TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac February 4, 2023 2 3:44 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Road to UFC Season 1 Lightweight Tournament final.
Win 13–2 Ki Won-bin KO (punch) Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 5 October 23, 2022 1 2:41 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Road to UFC Season 1 Lightweight Tournament semifinal.
Win 12–2 Pawan Maan Singh KO (spinning backfist) Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 2 June 9, 2022 3 2:24 Kallang, Singapore Road to UFC Season 1 Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal.
Win 11–2 Hatoropan Simbolon TKO (punch) One Pride MMA Fight Night 58 May 21, 2022 2 1:04 Jakarta, Indonesia Won the interim OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 10–2 Rama Sabturi Decision (unanimous) One Pride MMA Fight Night 56 February 12, 2022 3 5:00 Jakarta, Indonesia
Win 9–2 Agung Maulana TKO (punches and elbows) One Pride MMA Fight Night 40 December 19, 2020 1 2:55 Jakarta, Indonesia
Loss 8–2 Angga Hans Submission (rear-naked choke) One Pride MMA Fight Night 36 February 15, 2020 4 4:23 Jakarta, Indonesia Lost the OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Mhar John Manahan Submission (rear-naked choke) One Pride MMA Fight Night 32 September 21, 2019 1 3:12 Jakarta, Indonesia
Win 7–1 Hendrik Tarigan Submission (rear-naked choke) One Pride MMA Fight Night 30 July 27, 2019 1 1:11 Senayan, Indonesia Defended the OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 6–1 Hatoropan Simbolon TKO (submission to elbows) One Pride MMA Fight Night 25 December 1, 2018 2 4:17 Kelapa Gading, Indonesia Defended the OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Mohammad Fuad TKO (leg kicks) One Pride MMA Fight Night 19 May 5, 2018 1 4:01 Kelapa Gading, Indonesia Defended the OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 4–1 Kevin Sulistio Submission (rear-naked choke) One Pride MMA Fight Night 13 October 7, 2017 3 3:07 Kelapa Gading, Indonesia Defended the OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 3–1 Ngabdi Mulyadi TKO (punches) One Pride MMA Fight Night 9 April 15, 2017 1 2:40 Kelapa Gading, Indonesia Won the OPMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 2–1 Victor Johanis TKO (elbows and punches) One Pride MMA Fight Night 6 November 5, 2016 2 1:45 Kelapa Gading, Indonesia
Win 1–1 Rizki Muyla Submission (keylock) One Pride MMA Fight Night 5 October 8, 2016 1 1:25 Jakarta, Indonesia
Loss 0–1 Kevin Sulistio Submission (kimura) One Pride MMA Fight Night 4 September 10, 2016 1 2:06 Kelapa Gading, Indonesia Lightweight debut.

[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Simon Head (June 14, 2024). "Jeka Saragih: Breaking New Ground for Indonesia". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  3. ^ Hurairah, Abu (23 October 2022). "Profil Jeka Saragih Umur, Asal, Hingga Karir, Petarung Indonesia di Semifinal Road to UFC". sumsel.tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  4. ^ "Becoming The First UFC-contracted Indonesian Fighter, Jeka Saragih: Horas!". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Jeka Saragih Cetak Sejarah: Petarung Pertama Indonesia Dikontrak UFC". www.cnnindonesia.com (in Indonesian). 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  6. ^ "First Indonesian fighter in UFC to make debut". Philstar Global. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  7. ^ "Jeka Saragih, Par Bah Pasussang Pertahankan Gelar Juara One Pride MMA". simadanews.com (in Indonesian). 5 May 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Profil Jeka Saragih dan Perjalanan Kariernya di MMA, Siap Melawan Petarung Korsel di Road to UFC". voi.id (in Indonesian). 2 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Profile Of Jeka Saragih And Her Career Travel In MMA, Ready To Fight South Korean Fighters On Road To UFC". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  10. ^ VIVA, PT VIVA MEDIA BARU- (2018-08-09). "Profil Jeka Saragih - VIVA". www.viva.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  11. ^ Tabuena, Anton (2022-05-23). "Road to UFC: Four Asian tournament brackets, non-tournament bouts finalized". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  12. ^ "Jeka Saragih Tantang Petarung India di Final Road to UFC". SINDOnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  13. ^ "UFC Announces Road to UFC Semifinals". Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  14. ^ Tabuena, Anton (2022-10-22). "Road to UFC semi-finals: Episode 5-6 full results, brackets, videos". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  15. ^ "Road to UFC Final moved to Las Vegas". Asian MMA. 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  16. ^ Shawn Bitter (2023-01-04). "UFC Vegas 68: India's Anshul Jubli stops Jeka Saragih, claims Road to UFC Lightweight crown". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  17. ^ Sayan, Sag (2023-10-04). "Jesse Butler vs. Jeka Saragih Set for UFC Fight Night 232 on Nov. 18". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  18. ^ "Jeka Saragih gets new opponent at UFC Fight Night 232". Asian MMA. 2023-10-28. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-11-01). "Lucas Alexander Lands on UFC Vegas 82 Against Jeka Saragih". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  20. ^ Staff (2023-11-17). "UFC Fight Night 232 weigh-in results: Two fighters miss marks in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  21. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-11-18). "UFC Vegas 82: Jeka Saragih Gets First UFC Win for Indonesia, KOs Heavy Favorite Lucas Alexander". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  22. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 232 bonuses: Four finishers rack up $50,000 in Las Vegas". MMA Junkie. 2023-11-19. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  23. ^ "UFC books Jeka Saragih vs. Westin Wilson for June event". MMA Junkie. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  24. ^ Hester, Bryson (2024-06-16). "UFC Vegas 93: Westin Wilson Catches Jeka Saragih with Arm-Bar". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  25. ^ Kurnia, Candra, ed. (16 October 2022). "Jeka Saragih Menuju Sejarah di Ajang UFC". www.jawapos.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Profil Jeka Saragih: Bekuk Petarung Korsel, Berjuang Menuju UFC Halaman all". www.kompas.com (in Indonesian). 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Jeka Saragih". Sherdog. Retrieved 9 January 2023.