Jeka Saragih

Jeka Saragih (born January 1, 1995) is an Indonesian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), 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. He is the first Indonesian fighter to sign with the UFC.

Background
Jeka was born in Bah Pasunsang, Raya, Simalungun, North Sumatra. 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.

Early career
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.

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.

Road to UFC
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. He won the bout in the third round, knocking out Singh with a spinning back fist.

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. He won the bout in the first round, knocking out Bin.

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

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Saragih was scheduled to face Jesse Butler on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. However, Butler withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Charlie Campbell. With Campbell also out of the fight, Saragih was next booked against Lucas Alexander. 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. Saragih won the fight by knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

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

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

Saragih has a daughter (born 2024).

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Lucas Alexander


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