MMA fighter Jean Claude seals shot at being first PH gold medalist
NAGOYA—Long before Jean Claude Saclag stepped under the bright lights of the Inae Sports Center in Nagoya City, he was a wiry kid from Kalinga who learned early that toughness was not a choice but a way of life.
In the mountains where he grew up, grit was currency, and Saclag has carried that same grit into every fight with the Philippine flag on his shoulders.
On Tuesday afternoon, he walked into the biggest bout of his career—the mixed martial arts men’s traditional -65kg gold-medal match at the 20th Asian Games.
More than a medal chase, especially with this potentially being Team Philippines’ first gold medal here, Saclag sees the opportunity as a chance to repay the faith of his coaches and inspire the next generation of young fighters who see in him a reflection of their own dreams.
“I’m thankful to the coaches and to God because I’m already assured of a silver medal. But I want to fight in the gold-medal match and win the gold,” he said.
After receiving a first-round bye, Saclag dispatched Saudi Arabia’s Saud Fawaz Alholem in the quarterfinals, then dominated Japan’s Daisuke Murayama in the semifinals in a unanimous decision that left no doubt about his intent.
Saclag’s opponent for gold, Otabek Rajabov of Tajikistan, will compete riding on the momentum of a big win against Kazakhstan’s Sanzhar Adilov.
But Saclag is unfazed.
As a former wushu standout, he has battled the best in Asia and beyond. He remembers facing some of his current opponents in Uzbekistan, where he emerged with a gold medal.
“I see some of the athletes I’m competing against now, and I’ve already faced some of them in Uzbekistan, where I won gold. So I’m confident I can do it,” Saclag said.
His transition from wushu to MMA has been seamless, shaped by discipline and the relentless work ethic he learned in Kalinga. Saclag carries the warrior identity of his province, the same identity that has produced generations of fighters forged by adversity.
“That’s what’s good about our team now. It’s a win-win situation. Our coaches work hard, so we really believe we can do it,” he added, acknowledging the people who sharpened him for this moment.
But beyond personal glory, Saclag’s mission is larger. He knows what a gold medal would mean not just for him but for every young athlete dreaming of their own breakthrough.
“I know I can inspire a lot of kids if I win here, so that’s one of the things I’m thinking about. Hopefully, we can win the gold,” Saclag said.
A victory would make him the first Filipino to win gold in the Asian Games’ MMA traditional category.