2026 Asian Games Aichi Nagoya: MMA enjoys landmark Asian Games debut
Photo credit: Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA)
NAGOYA, Japan – Uzbekistan’s 18-year-old Firdavs ATAMURATOV announced himself on the international stage in impressive fashion on Sunday, defeating highly regarded Saudi Arabian fighter Malik Waleed A BASAHEL in the men’s Modern -60kg quarterfinals as mixed martial arts made its historic Asian Games debut in Nagoya.
Competing at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center, ATAMURATOV overcame BASAHEL by unanimous decision following overtime, turning the tables on the reigning fourth AMMA Championships finalist after their meeting earlier this year.
The result marked another step forward for the young Uzbek fighter, who has continued to develop his all-round game in recent months. BASAHEL entered the contest undefeated in four professional MMA bouts, but ATAMURATOV’s improved ground work and composure under pressure proved decisive in their latest encounter.
The opening day also saw strong performances across the men’s and women’s competitions, with several established names advancing in their respective medal events.
In the men’s Traditional -65kg category, Jean Claude SACLAG of the Philippines continued his pursuit of a historic Asian Games title with an energetic display of speed and aggression. Inspired by fellow Filipino sporting icon Manny PACQUIAO, SACLAG progressed to the next stage of the competition.
There was disappointment, however, for his compatriot Gina ARAOS in the women’s Modern -54kg event. ARAOS had been seeking to reverse her result against Thailand’s Kanjutha PHATTARABOONSORN, who defeated her at last year’s Southeast Asian Games before going on to claim the gold medal.
PHATTARABOONSORN once again prevailed, securing victory by submission and progressing to the next round, where she will face Indonesia’s Vallensia Fahira HOTMAULI.
HOTMAULI also produced a dominant performance in her quarterfinal, defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Adelina MURZAGALIEVA.
The first day of competition provided an important milestone for FIMMA and the wider development of MMA in Asia, with athletes from across the continent competing on one of the region’s biggest multi-sport stages.
MMA OLYMPIC AMBITIONS
Retired Brazilian MMA icon Antonio Rodrigo ‘Big Nog’ NOGUEIRA attended the opening day of MMA competition at the Asian Games and reflected on the significance of the sport’s debut and its ambitions for future multi-sport events.
“It’s beautiful. I wish I could have fought for Brazil. It’s interesting to see the organisation, the level, everything. Everything comes from the Asian Games, maybe Pan Am Games next. Of course it’s the idea for the Olympics.”
Full results are available here.
COMING UP
Competition continues on Monday, with the six MMA medal events moving into the semifinal stages and the first Asian Games MMA champions moving one step closer to history.
Among the athletes to watch will be Bahrain’s Diana POGOSIAN in the women’s Modern -54kg competition and India’s Suchika TARIYAL in the women’s Traditional -60kg event.
TARIYAL brings considerable multi-sport experience to the competition, having competed in kurash at Hangzhou 2022 as well as establishing herself in jiu-jitsu and judo.
In the men’s events, Tajikistan’s undefeated professional fighter and reigning AMMA champion Behruz KHURSHEDZODA will be among the leading contenders as the competition enters its decisive stages.
The first bouts on Monday are scheduled for 11:00 local time.