Creating Jeka Saragih Baru By Sending 12 MMA Fighters Abroad

A total of 12 MMA fighters from Indonesia will gain knowledge in the United States. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The world of mixed martial arts or mix martial art (MMA) in Indonesia is starting to stretch. The success of Jeka Saragih in reaching the final Road to UFC has grown the enthusiasm of the fighters in the country to follow in its footsteps.

Guidance began to be encouraged in the hope that a new "Jeka Saragih" would emerge.

In the near future, 12 Indonesian MMA fighters will fly to San Diego, United States. They will take part in intensive training in the "MMA Fight Academy" program.

"With this sponsorship and training later, we feel more appreciated and hope to make people's eyes more open. We hope that there will be more successors to Jeka (Saragih, fighters from Indonesia) in Indonesia," said one participant, Frans Lincoln, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, February 7.

The program, which is a collaboration between the Indonesian Martial Sports Committee (KOBI) and several parties, is the initial stage. Later the fighters will be tested in European and world competitions

The target of this program itself is to give birth to UFC champions from Indonesia in the next 5 years.

In addition to 12 Indonesian athletes, there is also one fighter from Vietnam who will participate in this program.

They will meet with other fighters as a result of auditions in England and America. While in Uncle Sam's country, the fighters will receive intensive training for three months from Jeka Saragih's coaching team.

Furthermore, this program was worked on with MMA industry expert Graham Boylan from the MMA Cage Warriors promotion, which gave birth to UFC champions such as

"Later there will be many challenges for us (in America) such as adapting to our diet, temperature and weather, and others. However, I will enjoy the process later there," said Rheza Arianto, one of the young fighters from Malang.

The following are the names of Indonesian and Vietnamese fighters who will fly to San Diego, February 8, 2023.