PB PERTACAMI Prepares Athletes for 2026 Asian Games Qualifiers, Ready to Prove Indonesia as Asia's Rising MMA Powerhouse

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PB PERTACAMI Prepares 11 Elite Athletes for the 2026 Asian Games Qualifiers in China

Jakarta, January 6, 2026 — The Indonesian Mixed Martial Arts Association (PB PERTACAMI) has officially prepared 11 of its best athletes to compete in the 3rd AMMA Championships 2026 held in Luzhou, China. This prestigious event also serves as the qualification round for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September to October 2026.Photo Caption: The PB Pertacami contingent, consisting of the coaching team, athletes, officials, and referee, pose for a group photo with the executive board members prior to their departure to Luzhou, China, on January 6, 2026.

The inclusion of MMA in the Asian Games is not merely a sport debut; it is a formal recognition of MMA as a structured, competitive sports discipline meeting Olympic standards. The Asian Games will serve as a vital stage to demonstrate Asia's readiness to compete at the highest multi-event level.

A total of 11 Indonesian MMA athletes will represent the Red and White in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, competing in both Traditional MMA and Modern MMA categories as follows:

Athlete Lineup

Traditional MMA:

1. Alfiandi – Traditional MMA 60 kg
2. Eugene Darrien Djubair – Traditional MMA 65 kg
3. Delvi Nurfadilah – Traditional MMA 49 kg
4. Dwi Ani Retno Wulan – Traditional MMA 54 kg
5. Yusni Nurhayati Hutasoit – Traditional MMA 60 kg

Modern MMA:

1. Riswan Efendi Hutabalian – Modern MMA 56 kg
2. Jon Setiawan Saragih – Modern MMA 60 kg
3. Albert – Modern MMA 65 kg
4. Novia Pesik – Modern MMA 49 kg
5. Vallensia Fahira Hotmauli – Modern MMA 54 kg
6. Maydelse Sitepu – Modern MMA 60 kg

The Indonesian delegation will be led directly by the Secretary-General of PB PERTACAMI, Ir. Rafiq Hakim Radinal, accompanied by a coaching team consisting of Marcos De Mello Machiado and Muhammad Fadli. Simultaneously, Indonesia is also sending one of its national training camp coaches, Agung Maulana, to serve as a referee.

The General Chairman of PB PERTACAMI and newly elected President of GAMMA (Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts), Tommy Paulus Hermawan, stated that the contingent was selected based on technical performance, physical readiness, and international competition experience.

"Following our trial run at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games last December, the upcoming 2026 Asian Games is a crucial multi-event stage in MMA’s journey toward IOC recognition. We are bringing athletes with strong track records in world championships. We are optimistic about bringing home the best achievements and making Indonesia proud," Tommy said.

Photo Caption: Tommy Paulus Hermawan shakes hands with Alex Engelhardt, accompanied by members of the GAMMA Executive Board, following his election as the new GAMMA President, succeeding Engelhardt.

Sport Science and Nutrition Integration

Since early 2025, athletes under PB PERTACAMI have undergone intensive training at the National Training Camp (Pelatnas) located at the Faculty of Sports Science, Jakarta State University (UNJ). The program implements a measurable and integrated sport-science approach, covering technical development, physical conditioning, endurance, match strategy, and mental coaching.

To ensure the athletes reach their peak condition ahead of the fights, PB PERTACAMI has also formed a dedicated sports nutrition medical team. This team manages dietary needs, stamina, and weight cutting according to the regulations of each weight class. Every athlete's nutritional intake is customized individually to ensure optimal performance.

For the 2026 Asian Games qualifiers, PB PERTACAMI aims for maximum results by qualifying as many athletes as possible, particularly from categories with high medal potential.

"We have high hopes and full confidence that our athletes are ready to fight and secure their qualification. Our confidence is backed by our brilliant achievement at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, where Indonesia sent six MMA athletes and every single one won a medal. This marks a 100 percent success rate, with 1 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medal. That performance proves the readiness of Indonesian MMA. Six athletes competed, six medals won. This is not just an achievement, but a validation of our development system," Tommy added.

Photo Caption: An emotional Dwi Ani Retno Wulan sheds tears of joy as the General Chairman of Pertacami places the gold medal around her neck during the 2025 SEA Games medal ceremony.

"We believe the athletes' hard work will pay off in the arena. The support of the Indonesian public will be an integral part of driving national MMA to the next level," Tommy concluded.

SEAMMA and the Consolidation of Southeast Asian MMA

Photo Caption: Presidents of the National MMA Federations of the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing SEAMMA.

During the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, PB PERTACAMI alongside Southeast Asian MMA federations made history by forming the Southeast Asian MMA (SEAMMA), an official regional alliance. The signing of the MoU took place on December 11, 2025, at the MCC Hall, The Mall Ngamwongwan, Bangkok, Thailand.

SEAMMA was established based on a long-term vision among Southeast Asian MMA leaders who recognized the rapid growth of the sport in the region, which had previously been fragmented across individual nations. Through SEAMMA, Southeast Asian MMA now operates under a structured and coordinated regional collaboration framework.

The MoU was signed by the heads of national MMA federations from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand, who serve as the founding members and initial executive leadership. SEAMMA adopts a collective leadership model with a structure that ensures regional balance, transparency, and equal participation among all member states.

"SEAMMA is a strategic step to unite Southeast Asian MMA into a single regional ecosystem. This is not just an organization, but a collaborative platform for standardizing regulations, athlete development, upgrading referees and coaches, and strengthening Southeast Asia’s voice in global MMA governance," explained Dr. Sirichet Punthipayanon, President of the Thailand Association of MMA (TAMMA).

According to Punthipayanon, SEAMMA has laid out several strategic agendas, including organizing the Southeast Asian MMA Championships, establishing a regional accreditation system for referees and coaches, developing youth-to-professional athlete pathways, and fully supporting the inclusion of MMA in future SEA Games and Asian Games programs.

Tommy Paulus Hermawan views the formation of SEAMMA as a critical step in reinforcing the foundation of MMA in Southeast Asia, particularly within international sports governance.

"In MMA's journey toward Olympic recognition, structure and standardization are key. The presence of SEAMMA allows Southeast Asian nations to move within a unified framework—whether in terms of regulations, safety, athlete development, or competition systems. These are essential elements required for MMA to be recognized as a mature and sustainable sport by the global sports community," Tommy concluded.