Stefer Rahardian’s Switch to the Strawweight Ring
From undefeated flyweight champ to the new strawweight frontier, the 31‑year‑old Indonesian fighter is seriously re‑thinking his next move. After wiping out the competition in ONE: Kings of Courage, Rahardian took a sharp turn down in weight and is now gearing up for his debut in a brand‑new division.
Why Down the Scale?
Rahardian’s decision wasn’t because he’d lost any of his glory in the flyweight rank—on the contrary, he was a serious contender there. Being one of the smallest fighters on the roster, he felt a drop to strawweight would level the playing field physically. “My weight is already heading down. I can’t eat any more,” he told reporters, handing out a refreshingly candid rationale that sounds like something you’d hear in a locker room rather than an AI‑generated spiel.
Coach’s Take
His coach laid it out plainly: “You need to keep your shape. We’re looking for the best opportunities at strawweight.” The coaching partnership has turned Rahardian into a leaner, more efficient athlete.
Training Intensity Ramp‑Up
- Monday – 9 am sparring in Bali MMA, afternoon weight‑lifting under the watchful eye of Don Carlo‑Clauss.
- Tuesday – Road trip with fellow strawweight Riske “King Kong” Umar, followed by 9 am Muay Thai, then a midday team session.
- Intensity was the new game‑changer, not the sheer number of rounds.
Weekend Showdown
The showdown at ONE: Grit and Glory will pit Rahardian against Himanshu Kaushik, a seven‑time Indian wushu champion boasting a 71‑7 record in the martial art. Kaushik made his cage debut in 2013 and has already racked up a clean streak of four wins. Despite being relatively new to the MMA cage, he has an undeniable swagger that the local crowd is already buzzing about.
Rahardian’s Mindset
“Every fight—since those early battles in Jakarta—I remind myself: ‘Don’t underestimate your opponent,’” he says. “I’m training hard, and I’ll give it everything. 100% has to be that level.”
What’s Next?
With the hometown crowd behind him and a newly honed training regime, Rahardian is ready to make a big splash. Watch for a stand‑out performance this Saturday; if he lands a knockout or a spectacular finish, the next strawweight quest could very well be a title shot.
