Jeka Saragih Is Contracted By The UFC If He Wins Against Anshul Jubli

JAKARTA — Indonesian mixed martial artist Jeka Saragih will automatically receive a contract from the UFC if he succeeds in defeating Anshul Jubli of India in the final round of Road to UFC.

The fighter from Simalungun, North Sumatra, stepped into the final after defeating the Korean representative Ki Won Bin at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, Sunday, October 23 evening WIB. Saragih only needed two minutes and 41 seconds to knock his opponent out (KO).

"With one win tonight, he stands a chance of reaching the lightweight division final, where he will compete to be the first Indonesian to be awarded a UFC contract", said Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia.

Previously there was a slight difference of opinion between Saragih and UFC regarding this contract matter. Fransino Tirta as the previous manager claimed Saragih had received a contract from the UFC after reaching the final.

Tirta said that the amount of the contract was different between the winner and the losing fighter. However, the claim seems to refer to an old rule.

Under the previous rules, the UFC automatically awarded contracts to fighters who reached the final. Meanwhile, in the new rules, contracts are awarded only to four fighters who come out victorious in each division.

To note, the Road to UFC tournament was participated by athletes from four divisions, namely flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight. Jeka Saragih himself competes in the lightweight class.

"Jeka Saragih had two outstanding performances in the opening and semifinals of the Road to UFT tournament", said Chang.

Saragih is the only Indonesian fighter to reach the final round of the five Indonesian fighters participating in the tournament. If he wins in the final, Saragih will enter the UFC lightweight class.

The division currently has a new champion, namely Islam Makhachev. Khabib Nurmagomedov's protégé holds the championship belt after defeating Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira.