Facing off in the Road to UFC lightweight final on Saturday at UFC Vegas 68 were Jeka Saragih and Anshul Jubli.
The pair engaged in an explosive face-off at Friday’s weigh-ins, one that included a throat-slash gesture and plenty of pushing and shoving. Saturday night’s final would afford them the opportunity to settle their differences, and land the winner a UFC contract.
Saragih opened the fight with a couple of heavy leg kicks to the inside and outside lead leg. He called Jubli in and Jubli landed a good combo into a single-leg takedown. Saragih was trying to frame off and just try to power his way out from underneath. Jubli wasn’t landing anything significant but was busy enough. Jubli eventually threw the legs to the side and mounted Saragih. Jubli went to an arm triangle. It looked tight but Saragih escaped and got to his feet. The round ended with both guys swinging.
In round two Saragih came out firing but Jubli used that to get the quick single-leg takedown. Saragih was working back to his feet but had Jubli take his back. He flattened out Saragih and started to land some good ground and pound. Saragih took some heavy elbows but survived. Jubli was going between the mount and the back but doing a ton of damage. After continued ground and pound the ref eventually stepped in.
The King of Lions ate good tonight 🦁 #UFCVegas68 pic.twitter.com/ddfEU6DxrF
— UFC (@ufc) February 5, 2023
The win gives Anshul Jubli the Road to UFC crown at lightweight, a UFC contract, and makes him the second fighter from India to sign with the promotion (though former UFC heavyweight and current ONE heavyweight champ Arjan Singh Bhullar of Canada is also of Indian descent).
Official Result: Anshul Jubli def. Jeka Saragih by TKO (ground and pound), Round 2, 3:44
