TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Eko Roni's confidence builds ahead of bout against champion Ramon Gonzales
Eko, who now trains in Singapore, is scheduled to meet Filipino three-time Kyokushin Karate Champion Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales in a three-round mixed martial arts contest at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX II, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore, scheduled for global broadcast on Friday.
Change Size
The banner of ONE:INSIDE THE MATRIX 2, between Indonesian wrestler Eko Roni Saputra (left) and Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales of the Philippines, which will be aired on Friday. (JP/Courtesy of ONE Championship)
M
ultiple-time Indonesian national wrestling champion Eko Roni Saputra is fresh off a resounding victory in early October - a first-round submission over Malaysia’s Murugan “Wolverine” Silvarajoo.
The 29-year-old returns now, heading into his fifth professional mixed martial arts bout, and gunning for his fourth straight victory.
Eko, who now trains in Singapore, is scheduled to meet Filipino three-time Kyokushin Karate Champion Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales in a three-round mixed martial arts contest at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX II, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore, scheduled for global broadcast on Friday.
With momentum on his side, Eko said he was ready to turn some heads and prove that he is a legitimate contender at flyweight.
“Ramon Gonzales has great kicks. But I have already learned how to counter all that, and I’ve made a great strategy with my team to fight him,” he said, as quoted from a press statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Eko, who has been viewed to have improved exponentially, can mix up his striking to complement jiu-jitsu. The keylock submission finish against Silvarajoo is a great indication that Eko is getting comfortable in the ONE Circle.
Still, despite his personal growth, he has given all the credit to those who have helped him along his journey, many of them world champions in different combat sports.
“Now, I have mastered more skill sets in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing and Muay Thai. Sam-A, Nong-O, Kru Rong, Alex Silva and everyone at the Evolve gym, we train together and they are always there to teach and help me grow.”
In the main event, reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion Kiamrian Abbasov of Kyrgyzstan makes the first defense of his world title against undefeated top contender James Nakashima of the United States.
Sport fans can watch the event on Vidio.com, Kaskus TV, or MAXstream at 7:30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB). Additionally, SCTV will air the event on a same-day delay at 11:30 p.m. WIB.
