BAGUIO CITY — Mixed martial arts star Jean Claude Saclag is mulling to fight in the professional ranks despite campaigning for the national team in various international tournaments.

The 28-year-old Benguet native said he is looking forward to competing at a higher level and joining his fellow Team Lakay fighters in the professional ranks.

"Hopefully, later this year," Saclag said.

Saclag had been one of the country's brightest wushu fighters.

He burst into the scene after winning a bronze medal in the men's 56-kilogram sanda event in the Wushu World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2013 before clinching the gold medal in men's 60-kg sanda event in Jakarta and silver medal in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon in 2014.

He then shifted to kickboxing and had another fruitful stint, bagging gold medals during the 2019, 2021 and 2023 edition of the Southeast Asian Games including a gold during the 2022 Asian Kickboxing Championship.

Then, he shifted to kickboxing and won three Southeast Asian Games gold medals in 2019 in Manila, 2022 in Hanoi and 2023 in Phnom Penh.

He said his speed and aggressiveness will play a major role in his bid to become a professional fighter.

He added that he is still training all facets of the MMA as he wants to have a very successful professional career.

"Right now, I'm working on my ground game so I'm training double time to be prepared," added Saclag, a former University of the Cordilleras student.

Saclag, however, stressed that his decision lies on his coach, Mark Sangiao with his son, Jhanlo, who recently flew to Thailand to face Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in the undercard of ONE Fight Night 13 on 5 August, and Carlo Von Bumina-ang, who is set to take on Reza Saedi on 4 August at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.