Mixed martial arts

Đào Hồng Sơn seen in action at the 32nd SEA Games last May in Cambodia. The jujitsu master will join the MMA community at the LION Championship 14 on June 15 in HCM City. — VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — SEA Games champion Đào Hồng Sơn will make his debut in the mixed martial arts pro competition at the LION Championship 14 on June 15 in HCM City.

Despite this being his first time participating in the tournament, the jujitsu master has been promoted to the Class A event and his match against Phạm Ngọc Cảnh of Liên Phong MMA in the men's 56kg category will be one of the main cards of the night.

Sơn has been well known in the martial arts scene for years and has practised different genres, including kung fu, wrestling and judo before switching to jujitsu.

Under his belt are two SEA Games and a 2022 world championship title. He is currently considered the top jujitsu athlete in Việt Nam.

Meanwhile, his opponent Cảnh is a veteran of the LION Championship (LC) who has taken part in several series. The top-five fighter did not have a good result last event after his match against Phan Thanh Tùng was declared no contest due to Cảnh's elbow hitting and seriously injuring Tùng's eye.

Also in the 56kg class, Nguyễn Hoàng Thạch of Liên Phong will take on architect and fighter Trần Trọng Kim of PFC-Biotown Phú Quốc.

Thạch is the No 10 fighter in this category. He has won one and lost one at the LION series. Kim is No 5, drawing attention at the LC12 after beating former SEA Games kickboxing champion Phạm Bá Hợi into submission.

They previously fought each other at the 2022 LC qualifications, which saw Kim walking away with the win.

The LION Championship 14 tournament bracket. The LC14 will be held on June 15 in HCM City.

The only match between female fighters will see Nguyễn Vũ Quỳnh Hoa taking on Lê Thị Thúy Vy in the 53kg class.

Hoa is a young and talented fighter with a technical style for managing her bouts. She is good in both striking and grappling, creating effective and diverse attacks.

Vy is a veteran boxer with a fierce attacking style and is not afraid of collision. She possesses powerful and accurate strikes, along with a good grappling ability, helping her control the fight well.

Other matches of the night include Lê Văn Tuần (Phi Ngọc Long Dojo) vs Trần Minh Nhựt (Liên Phong) in the 60kg class; Jesse James Bernal (Vietnam Top Team) vs Đặng Hoàng Minh (Kudo Vietnam) in the 77kg class; Lưu Nhân Nghĩa (Silver MMA) vs Lý Văn Huỳnh (The Champ MMA) in the 77 kg class; Phan Thanh Tùng (AGOGE) vs Lê Huy Hoàng (MMA Bio-Town Phú Quốc) in the 56kg class; and Phạm Anh Đức (Giant Team Vietnam) vs French fighter Kevin Jean Ghomdi in the 70kg class. — VNS