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Agence France-Presse

MMA will make its Asian Games debut next year when Japan hosts the continent’s premier sporting event, organisers said on Tuesday.
Cricket was also formally approved for inclusion at the Games during a meeting in host city Nagoya on Monday – despite doubts about where exactly the sport would take place.
“MMA will feature six events in its Asian Games debut and be classed as a discipline under combat sports,” the Olympic Council of Asia said.
The OCA and local organisers will hold meetings this week as they ramp up preparations for the 2026 Games, which will be in Nagoya and the wider Aichi prefecture.
As many as 15,000 athletes could compete at the September 19 to October 4 Games next year – more participants than at the Olympics.

The OCA said that cricket would be played somewhere in Aichi but it was unclear where because there is no venue in the prefecture for the sport.
Twenty20 was played at the Covid-delayed Asian Games in China in 2023, and will return to the Olympic programme in Los Angeles in 2028.
In December, Aichi governor Hideaki Omura said the build-up to the Asian Games was going smoothly.
His remarks came after Japanese media said the OCA was not happy with preparations and had accused local organisers of not sticking to the host city contract.
Reports said the OCA had demanded improvements in several areas, including accommodation and transport for athletes and teams.
Next year will be the 20th edition of the Asian Games.


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MMA to make Asian Games debut next year in Japan, cricket added to schedule

China’s Song Yadong (right) takes on Marlon Moraes of Brazil in a bantamweight bout. in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Zuffa LLC

Cricket will also be played in Nagoya but the venue is uncertain. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Olympic Council of Asia says there will be six mixed martial arts events, but there is uncertainty over where cricket will be played


Olympic Council of Asia says there will be six mixed martial arts events, but there is uncertainty over where cricket will be played.


Asian Games 2026

MMA to make Asian Games debut next year in Japan, cricket added to schedule

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Olympic Council of Asia says there will be six mixed martial arts events, but there is uncertainty over where cricket will be played

Olympic Council of Asia says there will be six mixed martial arts events, but there is uncertainty over where cricket will be played