LION Championship 21 – Kicking off the Vietnam Professional Mixed Martial Arts Season

LION Championship 21 returns with a series of new formats. Photo VMMAF

The event is organized by the Vietnam Mixed Martial Arts Federation (VMMAF) in collaboration with Vietnam Mixed Martial Arts Joint Stock Company (VIMMA).

This year, LION Championship brings many innovations in the competition format, with the introduction of four formats: MMA Striking, MMA Ground Fight, MMA Duo and MMA Gauntlet. Notably, this is the first time that the matches are not only limited to 1v1 format, but also include 2v2 and 3v3 team battles, bringing a vibrant, tactical and dramatic atmosphere.

The opening matches of the tournament are the quarter-finals in the MMA Striking format, with three notable matches: Le Van Vu - Pham Thanh Binh (56kg class), Nguyen Van Lam - Luu Huy Duc and Tran Quang Khai - Nguyen Dang Khanh (same 65kg class).

Fighters compete in the 200kg MMA Gauntlet event. Photo: VMMAF

The highlight of the event is the MMA Gauntlet format – a confrontation between two teams representing the North and the South. The North is the Agoge team with three fighters: Phan Thanh Tung (top 2 in the 56kg class), Tran Viet Anh (promising young fighter of 2024) and rookie Nguyen Cong Tuan. They will face the Tank Club team from the South, including: Dang Hoang Minh (top 7 in the 77kg class), Phan Huy Hoang and rookie Le Nguyen Phuc. Each team will send out one member to compete in three rounds, the winner will have the right to stay and continue competing, while the loser will be eliminated.

Tran Tra My (middle) excellently defeated her British opponent in the women's MMA Pro 52kg. Photo VMMAF

Tran Tra My (red) defeated Chelsea Leigh Moore (UK) in the women's MMA Pro 52kg event. Photo VMMAF

The order of the fighters is only announced right before the match, creating an element of surprise and strategy for the confrontation. The team with the last member left or winning the last round will be the overall winner.

Nguyen Tien Long defeated Nguyen Xuan Phuong in technique; Nguyen Trung Hai defeated Nguyen Ngoc Thuc in submission. Photo VMMAF

In the MMA Duo format, the appearance of two completely new faces has attracted attention. Boxer Nguyen Xuan Phuong, champion of two SEA Games 2019, 2023, will join his teammate Nguyen Ngoc Thuc - national kickboxing champion. Both will face the duo Nguyen Tien Long - Asian MMA gold medalist, current national Sambo champion and teammate Nguyen Trung Hai.

Bui Dinh Khai defeated Liam Arnold James (Ireland) by submission using rear naked choke. Photo VMMAF

MMA Duo rules allow all members of both teams to compete in the ring at the same time for 10 minutes. If a fighter is determined to lose by knockout, submission or submission, that fighter is disqualified and the match continues with the remaining member and all members of the opposing team.

After 10 minutes of play, the team with more members remaining or with more damage will be determined as the winner.

Through LION Championship 21, VMMAF will select forces for SEA Games 33 and ASIAD 2026. Photo VMMAF

LION Championship 21 Match Results:

MMA Gauntlet 200kg: Le Nguyen Phuc, Dang Hoang Minh, Phan Huy Hoang (Tank Club - red) beat Pham Van Tien, Phan Thanh Tung, Nguyen Cong Tuan (AGOGE - blue).

MMA Duo: Nguyen Tien Long defeated Nguyen Xuan Phuong by technique; Nguyen Trung Hai defeated Nguyen Ngoc Thuc by submission.

MMA Pro 56kg: Le Van Tuan defeated Le Huy Hoang by submission using d'arce choke technique at 1 minute 25 seconds of round 1.

MMA Pro 56kg: Dinh Khai defeated Liam Arnold James (Ireland) by rear naked choke.

MMA Pro 52kg women: Tran Tra My wins by unanimous decision over Chelsea Leigh Moore (UK)

MMA Pro 56kg: Huynh Ngoc Tin defeated Tran Kiet by technical knockout in 3 minutes and 9 seconds of round 2.

MMA Ground Fight 70kg: Ninh Hai Anh wins by consensus over Nguyen Van Linh.

MMA Striking 65kg: Tran Quang Khai defeated Nguyen Dang Khanh

MMA Striking 65kg: Nguyen Van Lam wins on points against Luu Huy Duc.

MMA Striking 56kg: Le Van Vu won by technical knockout over Pham Thanh Binh in 29 seconds of round 2.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lion-championship-21-khoi-dong-mua-giai-vo-thuat-tong-hop-chuyen-nghiep-viet-nam-698760.html