Mixed martial arts

Brazilian jujitsu champion Robson de Oliveira Soares (below) locks Kim Jin-min of South Korea in the fly-weight belt match of the famous mixed martial arts AFC 28 on September 16 in Vũng Tàu City. Photos of Cocky Buffalos

HÀ NỘI — Brazilian jujitsu champion Robson de Oliveira Soares and Vietnamese rising star Mùi Trọng Vinh made impressive wins at the international Angel's Fighting Championship (AFC) 28, a famed mixed martial arts event, on September 16 in Vũng Tàu City.

Soares took the tournament's fly-weight (56kg) belt after beating Kim Jin-min of South Korea in the main card held at The Grand Hồ Tràm Strip.

Soares, who has won most of his recent fights, attacked his rival from the off with knees and a rear naked choke.

Kim fought back with his powerful kicks and punches. He even caught Soares' leg and pushed him to the side of the cage. 

Robson de Oliveira Soares celebrates his victory after a split decision from judges. — Photo of Cocky Buffalos

The fierce and tough fighting was maintained until the end of the third round, making a real entertaining night for thousands of supporters.

Soares was finally announced winner of the match with a split decision from judges and would temporally keep the AFC prestigious belt.

Earlier, Vinh strongly defeated Chinese rival Jia Yangin in the bantam-weight (61.2kg) match. 

Vinh was confident with the powerful combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins perfected in Muay Thai putting Jia in defence mode during the first round.

The Chinese tried to overthrow the situation in the second round as he caught Vinh's leg and pushed him to the floor for further attacks.

But Vinh successfully escaped and fought back with series of head shots, launching a combination of ground and pound that caused Jia's face to swell.

Vinh was announced winner with a unanimous decision, a win in his AFC debut.

In other matches, all three Vietnamese fighters suffered quick knockouts.

Lưu Đức Mạnh was defeated after only 11 seconds when he was locked by a leg lock from South Korean Park Seong-hyun in the fly-weight (57kg) bout. 

Lê Minh Hoàng could only maintain in the cage nearly one minute before he was arm locked by Brazilian Felipe Negochadle in the bantam-weight (61.2kg). 

Mùi Trọng Vinh of Việt Nam (on top) wins his first match at the AFC 28, beating Chinese rival Jia Yangin in the bantam-weight match. — Photo of Cocky Buffalo

Đặng Hoàng Minh suffered a heavy left hook into his stomach from South Korean Song Yeong-jae in feather-weight (65.8kg) class and the match ended after 21 seconds.

Later, South Korean Kim Si-won beat his country-fellow Kim Igor in the feather-weight (65.8kg) by split decision. 

Pablo Eduardo from Brazil knocked out Japanese veteran Hiromu Ueni in the bantam-weight (61.2kg) with a leg lock in the first round.

The AFC 28 was jointly organised by Cocky Buffalo, a leading company in Việt Nam in managing and training fighters and organising tournaments, and AFC, a South Korean mixed martial arts promotion. VNS