Mario Satya Wirawan battles Sunoto in Jakarta (Photo : Mario Satya Wirawan)
To develop the sport of mixed martial arts at the grassroots level, to cultivate talent locally and turn ordinary athletes into global superstars -- this is but one of the great many things ONE Championship has done for the sport in Asia, and Mario Satya Wirawan of Bogor, Indonesia is a prime example.
Wirawan delved into martial arts in 2011, while he was spending his university days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
At the time, mixed martial arts in Asia, as well as ONE Championship, was merely on the brink of a major breakout year.
2011 was the year ONE Championship held its first event, dubbed, Champion vs. Champion. The event took place in Singapore, but was viewed by fans all across Asia.
To the many fans watching on the TV sets, both young and old, ONE Championship's arrival meant bigger things to come, and certainly inspired a large number of MMA hopefuls, many of whom are successful professional fighters today.
Wirawan, a former university footballer, saw martial arts as an opportunity to pursue a new passion.
"My first fight was in 2011. It was an amateur event in Malaysia," Wirawan told Yibada.com.
"[I got into MMA] by accident. I learned a bit of everything -- Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu. Then suddenly, I saw an announcement on Facebook about an amateur tournament," he added.
"I got as high as the semifinals, but from there, I continued to learn and I was hooked. Now I'm here."
The talented Wirawan certainly appeared to stumble into the sport by happenstance, social media was responsible for that, but it wasn't easy -- especially coming from a common conservative Asian household where fighting is almost always viewed as just childish ruckus.
"At first, [my parents] did not approve because they saw [MMA] as violent and dangerous," Wirawan said.
"After a while, they got used to seeing me train and spar in my gym in my hometown of Bogor, about 60km away from Jakarta. My parents would always come to my events. They got used to seeing me fight."
With his preference in MMA being in striking, Wirawan says he's also comfortable on the ground as he's trained with some of the best guys in the sport. Having trained with Fransino Tirta, Gianni and Keanu Subba, Andrew and Anthony Leone, Wirawan says he's learned a lot from the vets of the sport.
Wirawan is part of the next generation of Asian MMA fighters who have taken up the sport in the advent of its popularity in the region, particularly in Indonesia.
And like all others, he feels proud to represent his country.
"I feel proud. This is the first time I'm representing my country in an international event," said Wirawan. "Indonesia has a lot of potential in MMA, with guys like Fransino Tirta. I'm here representing the younger generation of Indonesian MMA. We're going to emerge soon."
As to what his best asset is right now, surprisingly, he points to mental preparedness -- a sign of maturity.
"[Playing university football] helped a lot, especially when dealing with jitters before a game, the mentality of it all, which helps with the result of the game," said Wirawan.
"I feel pretty experienced when it comes to mental preparation before a match. I got this all from playing hundreds of university football matches."
"My goal is just one and only -- to be the best and to inspire others through consistency, hardwork, and dedication. Reach for the sky, so if you fall, you land on the clouds," said Wirawan.
Mario Satya Wirawan takes on fellow Indonesian, and local MMA hero, Sunoto, in a three round featherweight matchup at ONE: Odyssey of Champions which takes place September 27, at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.
