Asim Khan powers into Asian Games semis

Pakistan MMA fighter beats Cambodia’s Sopanha Pheng to set semi-final bout with Tajikistan’s Umarov

Pakistan’s Asim Khan powered into the men’s Modern -60kg semi-finals at the Asian Games on Sunday, defeating Cambodia’s Sopanha Pheng 3-0 in a commanding quarter-final performance.

Khan produced a strong display at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre to advance to the last four of the mixed martial arts competition.

The Pakistani will face Tajikistan’s Mirzobek Umarov in Monday’s semi-final, with victory putting him into the gold-medal bout.

Khan is guaranteed at least a bronze medal if he loses the semi-final, with only ten fighters entered in the Modern -60kg category.

His coach Dilawar Khan said that bronze is not their target.

"Bronze has been ensured but this is not our target. We eye gold and will be fighting for that inshaAllah," Dilawar told The Express Tribune from Nagoya.

He said that Asim has been a solid fighter and has been regularly featuring in international events.

"He has featured in so many international events also including the World Championship and then he came here while in perfect rhythm," Dilawar said.

He said that his semi-final opponent is also very good and he expects a solid fight in Monday's show.