Jean Claude Saclag might have won all the accolades he could in the amateur ranks but his time with the Philippine team is not yet over.
The 28–year old native of Lubuagan, Kalinga and Kapangan, Benguet, however, is also looking forward to compete in another level and hopefully join his fellow Team Lakay fighters in the professional ranks as a mixed martial artist.
“Hopefully later this year,” said the youngest among the thirteen children of Lubuagan former vice mayor Patricio Saclag and Judith Kitong.
Bagging a gold during the 2023 PAN ASIAN International Open (No Gi), Saclag said he is keen on fighting in the professional ranks and hopefully create a mark just like his achievement with the Philippine team.
His first foray into the national team earned him a bronze during the 2013 Wushu World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Saclag’s greatest achievement in Sanda came in 2014 when he won the gold during the Sanda World Cup in Jakarta then followed it up with a silver in the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.
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.
More than his experience as a martial artist, Saclag said his speed and aggressiveness will play a big factor once he sees action as a professional fighter.
Saclag continued with the competition in the amateur at the backburner, he is currently training all facets of MMA in the hopes that he would be signed in the professional ranks.
“Right now, I’m working on my ground game kaya double time sa training to be prepared,” added the former University of the Cordilleras student who debuted in Shooto MMA in 2019 but lost to Ryo Okada.
Saclag however said it will all depend on coach Mark Sangiao who recently flew to Thailand with son Jhanlo who will see action against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in the undercard of ONE Fight Night 13 on August 5 and Carlo Von Bumina-ang who is penciled to take on Reza Saedi on August 4 at the Lumpini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
