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.
The aim is to create an elite competition mat for fighters, promote the martial arts spirit and provide thrilling matches for MMA enthusiasts.
Tri Nguyen, the series' general director with 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.
The organizers will select the top four from each class based on their track record and number of wins, and they will compete in the quarterfinals on August 24th.
The winner will advance to the semi-finals on October 26th.
Two wild cards have already been given to the 59kg semi-finals: 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 Thi An, in the final for the GMA belt on December 28.
“(Through GMA) we want to find warriors with fire in their spirit and strong hearts who never give up, and above all, warriors with the minds and bodies to always overcome extreme odds,” 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's bonuses are not made public and are negotiated between organizers and fighters.
