J.Butler out. Lucas Alexander in, will fight
Jeka Saragih at
#UFCVegas82 on November 18th. #UFC
#MMA
#UFCESPN
#UFC2023 pic.twitter.com/J5Mr06VTw6— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24)
November 1, 2023
Indonesian standout Jeka
Asparido Saragih will debut in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship on Nov. 18.
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Saragih (13-3) was originally scheduled to make his promotional
debut at
UFC Fight Night 232 against lightweight newcomer Jesse
Butler (12-5), who was coming off a first-round knockout loss
to Jim
Miller in his first Octagon appearance back in June. However,
the promotion announced last week that Saragih was in need of a new
opponent after Butler was forced to pull out due to an injury.
While there were brief talks of a clash between Saragih and
Charlie
Campbell, that potential matchup also fell through. However,
the Indonesian has finally found himself an opponent two weeks
ahead of his scheduled debut.
Saragih will take on Brazilian newcomer Lucas
Alexander (8-3) in a featherweight clash on the UFC Fight Night
232 prelims card. The booking was reported by Dutch MMA journalist Marcel Dorff and confirmed
by the UFC.
As per Indonesian outlet VOI, Saragih has reportedly earned a
five-fight UFC contract despite losing to India’s Anshul
Jubli in the finals of “Road to UFC” in February. However, it
is worth noting that Saragih scored back-to-back knockouts to earn
himself a spot in the finals of the tournament, which is the UFC’s
latest venture to scout Asian talent. Additionally, the 28-year-old
was on a three-fight win streak prior to entering “Road to
UFC.”
Meanwhile, Alexander made his promotional debut last October where
he was made quick work of by fellow Brazilian Joanderson
Brito via rear-naked choke. However, “The Lion” returned to the
win column with a decision win over Steven
Peterson earlier this year.