0 3 Indonesian MMA Fighters Out to Seek Glory in KL

Three Indonesian fighters are ready for the mixed martial arts showdown organized by One Fighting Championship on Saturday evening at Putra Stadium. The three — Leo Krishna, Zuli Silawanto and Antoni Romulo — made the weigh-in on Friday in each class. At the event titled “Return of Warriors,” Leo will go up against homegrown Peter Davis in the lightweight division, Zuli against Malaysian Adam Kayoom in welterweight and Zuli against Jake Butler of the US in light heavyweight. Saturday's fight is Leo's first international appearance, a fight he considers “the moment of truth” in his career as a mixed martial artist. 

Locally, he has a 2-0 record. “I was a bit surprised to find out that people considered me as one of the most prominent Indonesian fighters, because I know there are lots of fighters back in our country who are way better than me,” the 24-year-old said. “But I suppose they won’t say that without any reason, so I just have to do my best and make them proud. I’ll take it as a big support for me.” With his Malaysian opponent’s 5-1-0 record and home crowd support, Leo's task is not easy. “I just have to focus and try not to care about the crowd. I’ll shut my ears,” Leo added. 

He hopes that his intensive one-month training under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach Niko Han in Bali has prepared him enough. “I felt promising progress, both in my fighting skills and stamina, after the intensive training. Niko helped me improve both my ground and stand-up fighting skills, because there were many sparring partners for me back there.” For Zuli, on the other hand, Saturday's fight is an attempt to seek redemption following his loss a year ago at One FC’s Battle of Heroes series in Jakarta. “I may have lost the previous fight, but I come to win now,” said the veteran Indonesian fighter. 

Zuli says he's banking on his experience and two-month intensive training to help him win. But his opponent, Kayoom, will put up a strong fight, especially coming from his recent victory and home crowd support. For Antoni, another veteran, Saturday's fight is comeback performance after a long break. “I’ll give my maximum best,” said the wrestling-based fighter. To face Butler, who is an NCAA division 1 level wrestler, Antoni underwent a three-month preparation, mostly to improve his strikes and stamina. “It’s going to be tough because we were both originally wrestlers,” he said.

source : the jakarta globe