Jean Claude Saclag claims MMA silver for PH in Asian Games

HEARTBREAK. Mixed martial artist Jean Claude Saclag (right) turns emotional after the men's traditional -65kg final in the 2026 Asian Games.

PSC-POC Media Pool

Jean Claude Saclag bows to his Tajikistan foe as he falls short of the Philippines' first gold medal in the 2026 Asian Games

AT A GLANCE

• Jean Claude Saclag won a silver medal in the men's traditional -65kg class at the 2026 Asian Games, marking the Philippines' best finish so far.
• Saclag initially knocked down his opponent, Otabek Rajabov, but ultimately lost by unanimous decision after Rajabov utilized his ground game effectively.
• The Philippines has now secured one silver and three bronze medals in the games, with notable performances from other athletes including a women's kata team in karate.

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MANILA, Philippines – Mixed martial arts standout Jean Claude Saclag missed out on a coveted gold medal but delivered the Philippines’ best finish so far in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Saclag settled for silver, falling prey to Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov via unanimous decision in the final of the men’s traditional -65kg class at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center on Tuesday, September 22.

A pride of Kalinga and Benguet, Saclag scored an early knockdown as he dropped Rajabov with a left hook to the head before the Tajik regained his bearings and banked on his prolific ground game en route to the victory.

Rajabov, an unbeaten professional MMA fighter with a 6-0 record, pulled off multiple takedowns the rest of the way to neutralize Saclag.

“It was really unfortunate. We really prepared for the ground game. I gave it my all. At least we got the silver and we’re not going home without a medal,” Saclag said in a mix of Filipino and English during the post-match Cignal broadcast.

An accomplished fighter in multiple combat disciplines, Saclag matched his silver in the 2014 edition in Incheon, South Korea, where he represented the country in wushu.

The medal is an early birthday gift for Saclag, who is also a three-time kickboxing champion in the Southeast Asian Games. He turns 32 on Friday, September 25.

Saclag reached the championship match after beating Saudi Arabia’s Saud Fawaz Almolhem in the quarterfinals and Japan’s Daisuke Murayama in the semifinals.

Earlier in the day, the karate trio of Rebecca Cyril Torres, Ysabielle Arrogante, and Samantha Emmanuelle Veguillas bagged another bronze for the country, earning a podium finish in the women’s kata team event.

The Filipinas absorbed a 5-0 loss to Iran in the semifinals but redeemed themselves with a 4-1 victory over Thailand in the bronze-medal match at the Toyohashi Gymnasium.

“It has been a long journey. My teammates have gone through a lot of hardships,” said Torres in Filipino.

“We have suffered a lot of losses over the years, but we just perform and fight until the end.”

The Philippines now has one silver and three bronzes, the other two medals coming from the women’s soft tennis team of Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig, Hilary Paas, Shyryn Salazar, and Christy Sañosa, and mixed martial artist Carlos Alvarez. – Rappler.com