The Prudential Center in Newark hosts UFC 316 on June 7 when Indonesia’s heavy-handed Jeka Saragih meets South Korea’s unbeaten prospect Joo Sang Yoo in a three-round featherweight bout scheduled for the preliminary card. Their matchup places an explosive finisher with Octagon seasoning opposite a technically polished newcomer whose perfect record carries regional hype into his first UFC appearance. Here, we break down this fight and give you our Jeka Saragih vs Joo Sang Yoo prediction.
Jeka Saragih vs Joo Sang Yoo Preview
Jeka Saragih (14-4) failed to build on a blistering knockout of Lucas Alexander in 2023, losing his next fight in a first-round triangle-armbar by submission specialist Westin Wilson last June. The 30-year-old stands 5’8″ with a 69-inch reach and prefers an aggressive orthodox striking approach that has produced 9 knockouts and 4 submissions in 14 wins. UFC stats through two appearances show he lands 2.73 significant strikes per minute at 52% accuracy. But there is an argument to be made that this is the toughest opponent he has faced in his career so far.
Joo Sang Yoo (8-0) arrives from Korea’s Tiger Gym with a résumé built on regional promotions such as Angel’s Fighting Championship, Brave CF and ZFN. At 5’9″, he carries a slight height edge and has finished 3 foes by knockout, 1 by submission, and cruised to 4 unanimous decisions. His most recent outing, a 1:15 first-round KO of Masuto Kawana last December, underscored hand speed and timing that complement sound defensive movement and a capable grappling base.
Betting Insights
Going into this fight, Joo Sang Yoo is a heavy favorite, with odds of -500 compared to +380 for Saragih. The over/under for this fight is set at 1.5 rounds, with the over at -135 and the under at +105, implying that this fight is expected to get deep into the second round while ending inside the distance.
Angles worth noting:
- Experience premium – Fighters entering the Octagon for the first time drop roughly 55% of debut bouts since 2020, a data point that could hurt Yoo.
- Finishing threat vs grappling risk – Saragih’s 9 knockouts force opponents to respect his overhand right, but 3 of his 4 losses came by submission, a potential issue given Yoo’s proven competence on the mat.
- Card placement – An early slot often leads to faster starts as lighter fighters chase bonus checks without pacing for five rounds. Under bettors may find value at 1.5 rounds.
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Jeka Saragih vs Joo Sang Yoo Prediction
Expect a feeling-out phase built on range management. Yoo will jab and angle, seeking to draw counters he can slip before firing tight boxing combinations or level-changing under wild hooks. Saragih typically explodes with single-shot power. His right hand and spinning attacks are potential fight enders, but his footwork can trail his upper-body movement, leaving him squared when pressured off the center line. If Yoo capitalizes on that posture with quick entries, he could drag Saragih down and test the Indonesian’s defensive grappling that faltered against Westin Wilson.
Given the matchup, the most reliable edge sits with experience against UFC-level intensity. Saragih has walked under the lights, dealt with U.S. travel, performed media obligations, and felt Octagon canvas under his feet. Yoo must manage those variables while facing the hardest hitter of his career. Unless the Korean newcomer secures top control or finds a club-and-sub scramble, he will spend stretches answering stiff counters.
Prediction: Jeka Saragih by knockout in Round 2. Target the moneyline at a nice plus price and consider sprinkling Saragih ITD as well. For total bettors, under 1.5 rounds at plus money could be attractive.
