Saclag beats Japanese foe, inches closer to Asian Games MMA gold

NAGOYA—Jean Claude Saclag moved within one victory of giving the Philippines its first Asian Games' gold medal in mixed martial arts (MMA) after dominating home bet Daisuke Murayama in the men’s traditional -65kg semifinal on Monday at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center.

Saclag dictated the pace from the opening bell, using his superior striking to keep Murayama from unleashing his dangerous ground game.

The Filipino’s aggressive approach paid off as he secured a unanimous decision and a spot in Tuesday’s gold-medal showdown.

“I was able to overpower him even though he is stronger than me,” said Saclag, who will face Otabek Rajabov of Tajikistan for the gold medal on Tuesday.

With a historic gold within reach, Saclag intends to stick with the same aggressive yet disciplined strategy in the championship bout.

Saclag acknowledged that Murayama’s strength on the ground made him wary of engaging too closely, forcing him to rely on distance, precision striking and takedown defense throughout the semifinal.

“We’re used to playing in the finals so I’m inspired,” Saclag said.

“I needed to keep my distance, hurt him, and be alert on his takedowns.”

Saclag’s victory gave the Philippines another guaranteed medal in mixed martial arts, following Carlos Alvarez’s bronze in the men’s traditional -77kg division.

The 27-year-old Alvarez fought the taller Yerkingali Burkutalin of Kazakhstan in a tight semifinal, but lost by a 0-3 decision, settling for bronze after a spirited performance.

Alvarez booked his place in the medal round by sweeping Ananda Wahyu Setyo Prabowo, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of Indonesia.

He battled gamely against Burkutalin but could not secure a place in the championship match.