Spotv to air recorded coverage Sept. 20–22; Nam promises 'in-depth, multidimensional' analysis
Former UFC fighter Nam Eui-chul will serve as a commentator for the mixed martial arts events at the 2026 Asian Games.
Spotv and Spotv Now will air recorded coverage of the 2026 Asian Games MMA bouts, held Sunday through Tuesday at the Inabe Sports Center in Nagoya, Japan. Nam will join the broadcast team as a color commentator, delivering on-the-ground analysis to viewers.
Nam, who currently competes for Black Combat, is a former Spirit MC 70-kilogram champion and the inaugural Road FC lightweight champion, and has also fought in the UFC. Since retiring from active competition, he has built an extensive broadcasting resume, providing commentary for events including the US-based PFL and domestic competitions such as Ring Championship and KMMA.
"I am very happy that MMA has been adopted as an official Asian Games sport," Nam said. "I will do my best to deliver in-depth, multidimensional analysis to viewers."
MMA was approved as an official discipline at the 2026 Asian Games by the Olympic Council of Asia's executive board. The competition features six weight categories: men's modern 60 kg and 71 kg, men's traditional 65 kg and 77 kg, women's modern 54 kg, and women's traditional 60 kg.
The rules are broadly similar to standard MMA, but equipment requirements have been tightened to protect competitors. All athletes must wear a mouthguard and groin protector, as well as shin guards.
In the traditional divisions, athletes compete in a gi. Unlike the modern format, the traditional rules allow fighters to grab the uniform to execute throws or use the lapel to apply chokes.
South Korea will send three athletes to the tournament: Yoon Tae-young in men's traditional 77 kg, Choi Eun-seok in men's modern 71 kg, and Lee Bo-mi in women's modern 54 kg. The national team is training with a goal of winning three bronze medals.
Beyond the Asian Games, Nam continues to commentate for KMMA, a domestic amateur and semi-professional MMA circuit, contributing to the discovery of emerging talent and the broader expansion of combat sports in South Korea.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
