Riski Umar’s Redemption Quest
Last month in Jakarta, the Indonesian prospect @RiskiUmar faced a setback that rattled him deeply. In a brutal, back-and-forth bout against Cambodia’s Khon Sichan, the 25‑year‑old fell to his first pro loss by split decision. “My cardio was not good,” he confessed, admitting his energy dipped in the second round.
He tried desperately to finish the fight with a knockout, but that plan bumbled. The blow of defeat left him realizing that he was far from 100 % ready for the challenge.
Time for a Reality Check
- Reflection: “I realized I needed to seriously up my training if I wanted to stay competitive.”
- Diet: “I’ll take better care of my food and strength routines.”
- Motivation: “Sometimes I’m not in the zone. I come home late and miss a hard session.”
- Growth: “I have to act like a pro, not like a kid on the playground.”
Coach Don Carlo-Clauss Pulls Him Back
Umar’s head coach at Bali MMA, Don Carlo-Clauss, has been hard‑charging his regimen. The pair now hits the strip for 40‑minute beach runs in Canggu, with fellow ONE athlete Stefer Rahardian as a running buddy.
More than just cardio, the focus is on wrestling drills to offset the weight advantage of larger opponents. “There are only three guys on the team at my size,” Umar noted. “The bigger wrestlers push me to fight harder.”
Next Fight: Buoyed Spirits vs. Doan Birawa
Friday night’s duel at ONE: GRIT AND GLORY will be a proving ground. Här come a formidable Doan Birawa, a fellow countryman with a sharp, gritty fighting style.
- Striking Emphasis: “I want the fight to lean more toward striking.”
- Punches & Kicks: “I love throwing punches and kicks.”
- Take‑Downs: “But if he gets close, I’ll bring him down.”
- Ultimate Goal: “I have to win.”
For now, the stakes are simple: show that he has learned from his first setback, and prove that he can earn his spot again in the straw‑weight elite. Keep an eye on Jakarta’s Convention Centre—Riski is ready to shake off the dust and step back into the cage with renewed vigor.
