Saclag gets golden shot, Alvarez bags bronze as MMA fighters shine in Asian Games

FIGHTERS. Filipino mixed martial arts standouts Jean Claude Saclag (right) and Carlos Alvarez in action in the 2026 Asian Games.

PSC-POC Media Pool

Jean Claude Saclag advances to the final as he earns a chance to either match or surpass the silver medal he won in wushu in the 2014 edition, while Carlos Alvarez secures a bronze despite falling in the semifinals

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino mixed martial artists (MMA) contributed to the Philippines’ medal cause in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as Jean Claude Saclag earned a shot at the gold, while Carlos Alvarez bagged bronze on Monday, September 21.

Saclag will fight for the top prize after a unanimous decision win over home bet Daisuke Murayama in the semifinals of the men’s traditional -65kg class at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center.

A three-time Southeast Asian Games in kickboxing, Saclag will face Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov in the final on Tuesday, September 22.

By reaching the finale, Saclag — a pride of Kalinga and Benguet — gets a chance to either match or surpass the silver medal he won in the 2014 edition in Incheon, South Korea, where he represented the country in wushu.

Meanwhile, Alvarez secured a bronze despite a technical knockout loss to Kazakhstan’s Yerkingali Burkutalin in the semifinals of the men’s traditional -77kg division.

Alvarez assured himself of a medal by making the final four following a victory over Indonesia’s Ananda Wahyu Setyo Prabowo in the quarterfinals.

The Philippines officially now has two bronzes, the first one coming from the women’s soft tennis team of Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig, Hilary Paas, Shyryn Salazar, Christy Sañosa. – Rappler.com