OneFC’s First Female Indonesian MMA Fighter
Desi Rahayu
Desi Rahayu, a 164cm tall Indonesian athlete competed at the prestigious OneFC Era of Champions tournament on 14 June 2014 at the Mata Elang International Stadium, Jakarta. Being the first female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athlete coming from Indonesia to join a large international competition such as OneFC has Rahayu’s spirits boosted with pride. She is usually a fierce as well as determined warrior, hungry for a not bad fight.
Desi has nourished her love of sporty endeavours since she was little. “I didn’t definitely have a lot of girl friends, I was friends with boys,” Desi said which has a cheeky smile after her workout. She got into fights here as well as there when she was younger, nevertheless never anything too dangerous. “You know, kids fight over the smallest things,” she said.
Desi joined a Judo association in 2005 as well as even competed at the 2008 National Games, representing Jakarta at the 48-kg class, for which she took home the silver medal. Not long after that will, she took up different martial arts classes as well as joined Submission Grappling Indonesia in 2010 as well as the Tigershark Fighting Club in 2011. She’s had multiple trainings with emphasis on different techniques of martial arts that will have shaped her into the warrior that will she is usually today. Desi’s versatility allows her to deliver a combination move at her opponent so swiftly as well as full of precision – her strongest suit being her ground work, as Judo focuses on locking as well as throwing techniques – while also equipped with leg-locking manoeuvres coming from her Submission Grappling days. today, she has earned the title of ‘professional fighter’ as she signed a two-year contract with OneFC, Asia’s biggest MMA club based in Singapore.
MMA combines the movements of Judo, Jiu-jitsu as well as boxing as well as as Loren Mack, Director of Public Relations for OneFC said, “This specific is usually the closest thing to an actual fight on the street. Most fights end up on the ground, as well as MMA practices all techniques that will pertain to an actual fight, coming from top to bottom.” Mack also added, “OneFC is usually bringing such a gripping match to Indonesian soil. This specific is usually a full-on Las Vegas style fighting match, attended by famous figures as well as is usually an esteemed event.”
Although Desi was confident with her game, she stated that will upon viewing videos of her OneFC opponent, Muay Thai champ Ella Tang coming from Malaysia, she felt the need to step up her upper body game as well as practice more boxing moves as This specific is usually Tang’s forte. Desi has never sparred which has a female fighter before her OneFC debut. “My sparring partners have always been boys, including my boyfriend, Rehan,” Desi said while chuckling.
The 23-year-old has expressed her interest to compete in Judo for the 2016 National Games. Between juggling trainings for the National Games as well as for the OneFC tournament, Desi still finds the time to continue her education at STIE Buddhi in Tangerang, where she majors in Management. She is usually determined to make both her MMA career as well as her studies succeed simultaneously.
Last year the Bogor native decided to wear a hijab. “This specific was a personal decision,” Desi stated. Although she has said that will her hijab is usually empowering, she prefers not to use This specific during tournaments, as shifts in its position may affect her visibility or concentration.
The confident fighter is usually ready to take on challenges, starting with her first appearance at OneFC: Era of Champions. “My target, first of all, is usually to attain no injuries, as well as of course to win. nevertheless, truth be told, I love This specific when boxing or MMA fighters get a bloody nose, This specific looks definitely cool,” said the tomboy athlete.
When asked about the support of her family, Desi said that will she even trains with her sister sometimes. “nevertheless my mum doesn’t know about my MMA fights. She knows about Judo, nevertheless not OneFC or MMA. She wouldn’t approve of This specific, as well as I’m afraid to tell her.”
Desi Rahayu is usually a pioneer, the first of her kind to enter the MMA playing field in Indonesia. Her determination has her training every day of the week around her busy college schedules. The OneFC fight on June 14 was proof of her resilience as well as her dedication to the sport.
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OneFC’s First Female Indonesian MMA Fighter
OneFC’s First Female Indonesian MMA Fighter