Mixed Martial Arts

Robson de Olivera Soares (right) competes in the Lion Championship 5 in April in Hà Nội. The Brazilian will take part in the AFC 25 event this Saturday in Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province. Photo of VNMMAF

HÀ NỘI — International mixed martial art fighters will compete at the Angel's Fighting Championship 25 (AFC 25) at The Grand Ho Tram Strip in Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province on June 10.

There will be six elite matches between competitors from Brazil, South Korea and Việt Nam.

Among them, the most anticipated bout will see Brazilian jujitsu champion Robson de Olivera Soares takes on Filipino Rene Catalan Jr in the flyweight (56kg) category.

Soares is a three-time national champion. He has made a name for himself on the international stage with his impressive jiu-jitsu skills. The black belt became famous after a controversial defeat to Vietnamese champion Trần Ngọc Lượng in the Lion Championship 5 on April 22 in HCM City. 

Soares was a better fighter on the night but lost to a judges' decision who then were fined because of wrong decisions. A rematch between the two is planned in the near future..

“This match is in my schedule. Personally, I love to be challenged. Challenges and being able to compete make me feel alive. I don't care about the past. I need to let it go and move on,” said Soares.

Catalan will be a big obstacle for Soares. The Filipino has won nine out of 10 matches.

“Rene Catalan is a powerful rival who is considered stronger than me," Soares added.

"I have trained hard to prepare for this match. I have received a remarkable assistance from my teammates and coaches. I believe that the match will be great, a match of lions." 

Phan Huy Hoàng of Việt Nam during the 2022 Lion Championship. He will take on Pablo Eduardo from Brazil in the cage. Photo of VMMAF

Another key match of the AFC25 is between Phan Huy Hoàng of Việt Nam and Pablo Eduardo from Brazil in the bantamweight (61kg) class.

Eduardo has recorded a series of three wins in a row with his excellent Brazil jujitsu (BJJ) skills which helped him make an earthquake win over Uzbek Norov Azizbek by submission at the AFC 23 in March.

Hoàng's best result was the semi-final round of the Lion Championship 2022. He took two knock-out wins on the way to finishing in the top four of the tournament.

“I have prepared both striking and grappling techniques for this high-quality event. My experience at the professional Lion Championship will help me in this match," said Hoàng.

"My coaching board and I watched several of Eduardo's videos. We all agreed that he was strong with submission, wrestling and grappling. I have to find a way to avoid his wrestling technique while making use of my striking skills. Currently, I am in good condition and flexibility ahead of the bout.”

A poster of the AFC 25 which will see 12 international fighters take part in ultimate bouts.

Other matches will be between South Korean Han Gil Choi and Brazilian Felipe Negochadle in the bantamweight (61kg); Nosherwan Khanzada from Hong Kong and Jang Bum Seok of South Korea in the light heavyweight (90kg); Rodrigo Caporal of Brazil and Burenzorig Batmunkh from Mongolian in the welterweight (77kg) and Mhar John Manahan of the Philippines and Kim Eui Jong of South Korea in the lightweight (70kg).

AFC 25 is organised by Cocky Buffalo, a leading gym in Việt Nam in managing and training fighters and organising tournaments, and AFC, a South Korean mixed martial arts promotion. All matches will be broadcast live and executively on VTVcab channels, apps and platforms. VNS