Mixed martial arts

General Director Johnny Trí Nguyễn introduces his Gods of Martial Arts fighting contest which will begin on August 24 in HCM City. Photo of GMA

HCM CITY -- The Gods of Martial Arts (GMA) series will be officially started next month at the Liên Phong MMA dojo in HCM City.

It is a professional martial art competition launched by master-actor Johnny Trí Nguyễn, with the support of the HCM City Mixed Martial Arts Federation.

It aims to create elite competition mat for fighters, promote martial spirit and provide thrilling bouts to MMA lovers.

As the series' general director Trí Nguyễn, who is rich in experience of martial art and cinema, promised to optimally support participants during the competition, ensuring the tournament "the place where legends are born".

Previously, he successfully organised Mekong Fighting Championship, the Coco Championship and the Dragon Fight League.

Athletes will compete following pro MMA rules within a hexagonal structure cage (normally it is an octagonal one) wrapped up in a ring ropes with open space like rings of boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai.

In only a short time post launch more than 100 fighters have already registered to compete in five weight categories of 55kg, 57kg, 59kg, 63kg and 68kg.

Organisers will pick the best four from each class, based on their background and wins, who will then take part in the quarter-finals which are scheduled to be held on August 24.

The winners will then advance to the semi-finals on October 26.

Two fighters have already been given a wildcard to play from the semis' 59kg - LION Championship Phạm Văn Nam and architect-fighter Trần Trọng Kim, who placed fifth in his class.

The semi-final winners will face off with champions of different national MMA tournaments such as Nguyễn Hoàng Thạch, Bùi Trường Sinh, Nguyễn Vũ Phương Hoài and Hà Thế Anh, at the finals for the GMA belts on December 28.

“(Through GMA) we want to find fighters with fiery spirit and resilient hearts that never give up, and above all, those whose minds and bodies always conquer extreme challenges,” said Trí Nguyễn.

In addition to broadcasting matches live, organisers will also hold several of activities and sideline clips on social networks with a view to making the event even more popular to the domestic and international MMA communities.

As is the case of the world's largest martial art organisations UFC and One Championship, GMA bonuses are not published, they are for negotiation between the organisers and the fighters. VNS