Jeka Saragih Faces Defeat, While Tank And Benavidez Bask In Their Victory.

In a highly anticipated matchup, Indonesian fighter Jeka Saragih suffered a quick defeat against Westin Wilson at UFC Fight Night on Sunday morning, June 16th. The bout ended in just one minute and 49 seconds of the first round, proving that Jeka Saragih’s skill in the ground to be his biggest obstacle.

Jeka Saragih, known for his moniker "Si Tendangan Maut" or "The Deadly Kick," faced Wilson in a featherweight bout. Despite Jeka's reputation for his stand-up fighting prowess, he struggled against Wilson’s ground game. With three minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the first round, Jeka was forced to submit, succumbing to a triangle armbar executed by Wilson, due to the lack of patience in the closed guard position, Wilson used this advantage to secure a very deep triangle.

This victory was particularly momentous for Westin Wilson, as it marked his first win after two consecutive losses in previous fights. For Jeka, however, this bout was his second defeat in the UFC. Prior to this, Jeka had secured a victory in his UFC debut against Lucas Alexander in November of the previous year, delivering a knockout that showcased his striking capabilities.

Wilson's expertise in ground combat was evident from the outset, Jeka found himself ensnared by Wilson's techniques, Jeka tried to Slam and use his ground and pound technique to escape instead of using reversals and patience leading to his defeat.

The Indonesian MMA community continues to rally behind Jeka Saragih, recognizing his role as a trailblazer for the sport in Indonesia, now what Jeka have to do is climb back up from the defeat, fix his ground technique and gear up from another fight, Jeka is now known as a sole striker fighter with no gorund skills, making it easier for future opponents to find holes in his game, Jeka needs to learn how to defend and attack in the ground game fast, whether it’s switching camps or focusing on a different strategy in the future, his next fight in the UFC will determine if he or any Indonesia fighter truly belong in the elite level of competition in the UFC.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis Triumphs with Eighth-Round Knockout Over Frank "The Ghost" Martin

Meanehile in Las Vegas, Nevada, In a thrilling showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Gervonta "Tank" Davis delivered an electrifying performance, knocking out Frank "The Ghost" Martin with a left hook in the eighth round. The fight, witnessed by 13,249 fans, saw Davis retain his WBA world champion title and extend his undefeated streak to 30-0 (28 KOs).

Davis, who entered the ring to the iconic

"Ghostbusters" theme song, predicted Martin’s fatigue and waited for the perfect moment to strike. “I knew he was going to tire out,” Davis said post-fight. “Then I started picking him apart.”

Martin started strong, winning most of the early rounds with his active style. However, Davis began to land significant punches in the second round, including a powerful uppercut. As the fight progressed, Davis targeted Martin’s body and relentlessly pushed him into the corners, setting the stage for the decisive knockout in the eighth round. Martin’s record now stands at 18-1.

Earlier in the evening, David Benavidez made a successful light heavyweight debut against Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Benavidez’s dominant performance secured him the mandatory challenger position for the winner of Artur Beterbiev's bout with Dmitry Bivol at 175 pounds. Additionally, he remains the mandatory challenger for Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds, a fight he has been eagerly pursuing.

In his return to the ring after a 14-month layoff, Davis showcased his formidable skill and resilience. His last fight ended in a seventh-round knockout over Ryan Garcia on April 22, 2023, shortly before Davis served a 44-day sentence in a Baltimore detention center following a 2020 hit-and-run incident.

Benavidez, a 7-to-1 favorite like Davis, improved his record to 29-0 (24 KOs) by claiming the interim WBC light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory (scores of 116-112, 117-111, and 119-109).

Despite sustaining a cut near his eye and fighting with an injured hand, Benavidez delivered a masterful performance against his former sparring partner. Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) struggled to match Benavidez’s speed and power, ultimately falling short despite a promising start with his jab.

“I went up in weight … had him hurt a couple of times,” Benavidez remarked after the fight. “I wasn’t throwing a lot of combinations because I reinjured my hand in the third round. I tore my right ligament four weeks before the fight and I hurt my left hand in camp. I’m proud of myself because I also got a cut three weeks ago and I pushed through and gave the fans a good fight.”

Saturday night’s event marked a historic occasion as the 100th championship fight night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, joining the ranks of legendary bouts like Evander Holyfield versus Mike Tyson, George Foreman versus Michael Moorer, Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao, and Tyson Fury versus Deontay Wilder.

The evening’s fights underscored the relentless drive and determination of both Davis and Benavidez, solidifying their status as top contenders in their respective weight classes and thrilling fans with their unforgettable performances.

Last Sunday was a treat for the combat sports world locally, what will happen next in the coming future? Comment below and let us know!