After two and a half years away from the sport, Singapore’s Niko Soe will finally make his long-awaited return.
This Friday, 12 April, the Impact MMA product will welcome Indonesia’s Eko Roni Saputra to the promotion at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR in Manila, Philippines.
“It’s been a long time. I almost forgot the feeling of being out there,” the local hero says. “The day when I’ll be fighting, that’s when I’ll know [that familiar feeling again].”
Unlike most who shift from one martial arts discipline to another before committing to mixed martial arts, Soe comes from a new generation of athletes who started their respective careers training in multiple areas of the game.
He made his professional debut in November 2013, and chalked up a 3-1 professional record. All three of his career victories have come by TKO or armbar submission in the first round.
The last time he appeared in ONE Championship was at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR back in November 2016, where he submitted Muhamad Haidar in front of his compatriots at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Uncontrollable circumstances have prevented him from immediately following up on his masterful performance.
However, the 26-year-old looks to resume his career in exciting fashion and has surrounded himself with a top-notch team at Impact MMA.
“I have the best coaches in the world and the best team,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for much more.”
While this will be Saputra’s professional mixed martial arts debut, he comes from a decorated background.
He is a multiple-time Indonesia National Wrestling Champion and, after representing his country in last year’s Asian Games, he joined the Evolve Fight Team in Singapore last October.
With an abundant roster of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions, Evolve MMA has equipped Saputra with the necessary striking and submission skills to beat Soe his debut.
But will it happen? Fans will have to watch on Friday to find out.
