JAKARTA A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Indonesia, Jeka Saragih, was in a state of uncertainty when he was offered a UFC contract. He considered a few moments before agreeing to the offer.
Jeka officially registered as the first fighter from Indonesia to be signed by the UFC on Thursday, February 9 yesterday. Receiving the offer automatically forced him to stay away from his family and country for a long time.
In a video uploaded to Jeka Saragih's Instagram account, the athlete looks hesitant for a few seconds. He faces two choices that are equally difficult.
However, he finally wanted to carve his signature on the contract sheet.
"You have to make a decision immediately, because if you don't stay here, you have to leave this country [United States]," said Jeka Manager Graham Boylan, in the video.
"But if you live here, we have to start taking care of all the legal matters and documents needed before the 14th. So, there is a lot that we have to prepare if you decide to stay here," he added.
Jeka was still awarded a contract despite losing in the Road to UFC final against Indian representative Anshul Jubli on February 5 due to a brilliant performance in his journey to the final.
The 28-year-old fighter was awarded five fights in the featherweight (featherweight) with the UFC. In this class there are fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, Max tricycle, and Yair Rodriguez.
"It's a big decision. You want to be the best professional athlete, but you have to leave your family and country suddenly," said Jeka coach Marc Fiore.
Jeka recorded two knockout wins (KO) before accepting defeat in the final duel. He scored the first KO victory in the quarter-finals when he met India's representative, tiera Maan Singh.
Meanwhile, he eliminated his second win when he faced Korean fighter Ki Won-bin. Unfortunately in the final he lost so he failed to get a contract ticket to the lightweight division.
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