Mixed Martial Arts
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| General director Johnny Tri Nguyen introduces the Martial Arts Gods Martial Arts Competition, which begins in Ho Chi Minh City on August 24. Photo by GMA |
HO CHI MINH CITY — The God of Martial Arts (GMA) series will officially kick off next month at the Lien Phong MMA dojo in Ho Chi Minh City.
This is a professional martial arts tournament launched by master actor Johnny Tri Nguyen with the support of the Ho Chi Minh City Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
Our goal is to create an elite competition mat for fighters, promote the spirit of martial arts and provide thrilling matches for MMA enthusiasts.
The series' general director, Tri Nguyen, who has extensive experience in martial arts and film, promised to provide optimal support to participants throughout the competition and ensure that the tournament will be “where legends are born.”
He has previously successfully organised the Mekong Fighting Championship, Koko Championship and Dragon Fight League.
Fighters compete under professional MMA rules in a hexagonal cage (usually an octagon) surrounded by open ring ropes, similar to a boxing, kickboxing or Muay Thai ring.
In just a short time since the start of the tournament, over 100 athletes have already registered across five weight categories – 55kg, 57kg, 59kg, 63kg and 68kg.
Organizers will select the top four from each class based on their track record and number of wins, to compete in the quarterfinals on August 24.
The winner will advance to the semi-finals on October 26th.
Two wildcards have already qualified for the 59kg semi-final: Lion champion Pham Van Nam and architect and fighter Tran Trong Kim, who placed fifth in the same class.
The winner of the semi-final will face various national MMA tournament champions, including Nguyen Hoang Thach, Bui Truong Sinh, Nguyen Vu Huong Hoai and Ha The An, in the GMA belt finals on December 28.
“(Through GMA) we want to find warriors with fire in their hearts and strength of mind who never give up, and above all, who consistently overcome extreme challenges with their minds and bodies,” Tri Nguyen said.
In addition to live broadcasting of the matches, the organizers will also host several activities and sideline clips on social networks, aiming to make the event even more popular among the local and international MMA community.
As with the world's largest mixed martial arts organizations UFC and One Championship, GMA bonuses are not made public and are negotiated between organizers and fighters.
