Mixed martial arts

Phạm Thanh Ngân (right) defeats Trịnh Xuân Anh in the LION Championship 13's 65kg category on May 18 in Hà Nội. Photos of VMMAF

HÀ NỘI — Phạm Thanh Ngân ensured that Trịnh Xuân Anh's return to national mixed martial art was not a dream comeback, while Quàng Văn Minh knocked out the only foreign fighter Mirko Maurice Horn at the LION Championship 13 (LC13) on Saturday in Hà Nội.

Anh had taken a year off to sharpen his skills at the Vietnam Topteam Club and it seemed that there was the potential for a thrilling return at the national largest MMA competition.

However, Ngân, who played his second match at the LC series, stopped that happy ending at the Tây Hồ Gymnasium.

Ngân took the initiative from the first minute and landed series of punches and knees on Anh who had to run around the ring to avoid being beaten in the 65kg class. Anh, who was last fighting during the 2022 season, was considered a strong jujitsu fighter but he could not fight back.

He was only on his feet for just under a minute, before the first collapse and at 1.20min into the first round, the referee announced a technical knockout for Ngân of The Champ MMA Club.

It was Ngân's second early win in his pro career. Six months ago he also easily beat experienced Nguyễn Trung Hải in the LC 11.

The other match which overturned many predictions, was between Minh of Kickfit Sports MMA and Horn of Rooster Muay Thai Club in the 65kg class.

Quàng Văn Minh (right) lands a punch on Mirko Maurice Horn during their 65kg match.

Horn was said to be a shoo-in for a win after two easy wins last year. However the German biologist came up against a big obstacle. Minh set out to dominate, with his fierce head and body shots, while his leg kicks made Horn lose his balance.

Minh's series of punches pushed Horn to the corner before a jaw punch made his rival faint at the 1.29min of the first round and it was a KO win.

In other matches of Class A, Đinh Quốc Dũng took a win by points against Trần Ngọc Lâm in the 60kg category after three rounds.

Lê Văn Tuần bagged a submission win over Nguyễn Hợp Hải in another 60kg match's second round.

There were also eight bouts of Class B on May 18.

Among them, Nguyễn Trọng Hồng Hoàng scored a technical knock out against Nguyễn Viết Tuấn in the 60kg match's first round, Trần Việt Anh took a submission win over Trần Việt Hoàng in the second round of the 65kg category and Bùi Đình Khải submitted to Lê Minh Dương in the second round in the 56kg bout.

The LC14 will be held in HCM City on June 15. VNS