Muay Thai

Trần Quốc Tuấn (right) launches a knee on Mochamed Emin Machaev during their 68kg class final of the Muay Thai Rampage: One King Victory in Pride on September 18 in HCM City. — Photos of Shadow Entertainment

HCM CITY — Trần Quốc Tuấn overcame powerful rivals to take a title of the international Muay Thai Rampage (MTR): One King Victory in Pride on September 18 in HCM City.

The competition was held in a new format of four-man tournament for the first time in Việt Nam featured eight athletes in two weight categories at the Saigon Sports Club.

Tuấn, the WBC Muay Thai Việt Nam champion, of Saigon Sports Club, defeated England's Mamouh Ali Mousa of Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA Club in the first three-round semi-final match of the 68kg class.

He went on to face Austrian Mochamed Emin Machaev of Soma Fight Club who beat Russian Mikhail Baranov of Tiger Muay Thai in the second semi.

In the final, Baranov attacked Tuấn from the beginning with a view to set his domination. However, Tuấn strongly resisted and fought back in the second and third round.

He was announced winner of the category and pocketed US$5,000 bonus in cash.

Julian Leo Gravine holds his trophy after winning the 60kg bout of the Muay Thai Rampage: One King Victory in Pride.

In the 60kg pool, Japanese Julian Leo Gravine of Elite Team beat Cypriot Ismail Al Kadhi of Bangtam Muay Thai & MMA Club to take the award.

Earlier, Gravine beat Vietnamese Nguyễn Văn Đức Nghĩa of SSC in the semi-final match and Kadhi won over Kyrgyz Timur Chuikov of Tiger Muay Thai Club.

In addition to the four-man competitions, there were six other matches between Vietnamese and foreigners.

A total of VNĐ700 million ($29,000) were delivered to winning fighters.

The MTR: One King - Victory in Pride was organised by the HCM City Muay Thai Federation and Shadow Entertainment.

The organisers planned to hold fiercer Muay Thai tournament by the end of this year. The pro event is promised new exciting format and big bonuses to the competitors.  — VNS