Indonesian MMA Needs Some Work

When ONE Pride MMA returned with Fight Night 88 “Battle for Glory” on November 2, 2025, in Jakarta, the intentions were clear. Ten fights, eight of them international matchups featuring fighters from China and Malaysia, a title fight, and a broadcast tie-up with Vidio. The event was meant to re-establish ONE Pride as the leading MMA promotion in Indonesia, but it also showed how much work still needs to be done.

The card included notable bouts such as national flyweight champion Aditya Ginting (9-5) versus challenger Rio Tirto (8-1), and bantamweight national champion Gugun “Gusman” (14-4) against China’s Haitao Ti (17-6). On paper, the lineup looked solid. International fighters, national representation, and a promise that winners could earn access to the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai gave it global appeal. But when the night ended, the performance and the atmosphere told a different story.

Crowd energy was decent but far from electric. Despite strong promotion, post-fight discussions among fans focused more on matchmaking and fight quality than on celebration. Several visiting athletes, including those from China and Malaysia, looked underprepared and lacked the sharpness expected at this level. For a promotion that aims to showcase Indonesian talent on an international stage, the gap in performance was hard to ignore.

Meanwhile, other combat sports organizations in Indonesia are gaining ground. BYON Combat and HSS have been drawing attention with better match pacing, stronger production, and more compelling fighter storytelling. Even smaller promotions like Arena Selatan are experimenting with creative formats and community-driven engagement. In comparison, ONE Pride’s presentation feels dated, relying too heavily on its early reputation instead of adapting to the rapidly evolving local scene.

To stay relevant, ONE Pride needs to improve in three major areas: talent development, event production, and international competition. Talent development means creating stronger camps and giving fighters the resources to grow technically and mentally. Better event production means investing in presentation, fight pacing, and commentary that keeps the audience hooked. For international bouts, ONE Pride must ensure that foreign fighters bring genuine competition, not just international names on a poster.

The promotion’s late-2025 comeback is a positive sign, but consistency is what will decide its future. Indonesian MMA fans are becoming more knowledgeable, and they expect more from local promotions. Simply hosting events is no longer enough; every show must deliver impact, excitement, and authenticity.

MMA in Indonesia is clearly growing. The crowd, fighters, and grassroots communities are becoming more passionate than ever. But if ONE Pride wants to remain at the center of that growth, it needs to adapt and push forward. The time for rebuilding is now.