Filipino MMA fighter Jean Claude Saclag saw his golden opportunity slip away on Tuesday as he lost a 3‑0 decision to Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov in the men’s ‑65kg class gold‑medal match in traditional mixed martial arts at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center.
With the defeat, Saclag missed the chance to deliver the Philippines’ first‑ever gold medal in the 20th Asian Games. He did, however, add a silver to the country’s tally, which now stands at one silver and three bronze medals. Afterward, Saclag admitted he was heartbroken by the result.
“Sayang talaga. Gusto ko talagang makakuha ng gold. Nag‑expect ako na kaya kong mag‑gold. Malungkot ako, hindi lang dahil natalo ako, kundi dahil sa performance ko,” said the Filipino, who reached the final with a unanimous‑decision win over Japan’s Daisuke Murayama in the semifinals.
Saclag Had No Answer for Rajabov’s Wrestling
The difference in the fight was Rajabov’s relentless wrestling—and Saclag’s inability to counter his ground game. Knocked down early in the opening round, Rajabov seized control and repeatedly took down the Filipino, who struggled to keep the fight standing long enough for his striking to make an impact.
“Akala ko nag‑improve na ako, pero grabe ang higpit niya sa baba. Gusto kong tumayo para makabalik sa laban, pero hindi niya talaga ako pinatayo,” Saclag explained. “Ang game plan sana, strike, strike, tapos iwas. Hindi ako magpapa‑takedown. Pero noong second round, siguro nagmadali ako dahil akala ko nakuha ko na ‘yung first round.”
Rajabov came well‑prepared to neutralize Saclag’s striking, and his wrestling proved too difficult to solve.
Heartbreak… Again
For Saclag, the loss was especially painful as it marked the second time he came close to winning gold at the Asian Games. Twelve years ago, at the Incheon Games, the now 31‑year‑old settled for silver in wushu. This time, in a different sport, the elusive gold slipped away once more.
“Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na ito na ‘yung pagkakataon kong mag‑gold, kasi noong 2014, natalo rin ako sa finals sa wushu,” he said. “Sayang, pero thankful pa rin ako. Nakarating tayo sa finals at safe pa ako.”
Indeed, Saclag might have lost out on gold yet again. But he vowed this isn’t the end of the road—and he knows already what aspect of his game he needs to work on: the ground game.
