Mixed martial arts

Phạm Văn Nam secures a KO win in his ONE Championship debut. Nam knocks out Estrada Donga-as of the Philippines at the ONE Friday Fights 76 event on August 23 in Thailand. Photo courtesy of organisers

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese fighter Phạm Văn Nam knocked out Estrada Donga-as of the Philippines in both sides' debut at the ONE Friday Fights 76 event of the ONE Championship, the world largest mixed martial arts competition, on August 23.

Nam, 32, is the reigning champion of the national LION Championship, holding a record of five wins in a row at this pro series.

Donga-as has played five international MMA matches. He won one and lost one in the amateur bouts, and recorded two wins and one loss in the pro field.

He practised at the famous Lakay Gym which produces legendaries such as Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon and Joshua Pacio.

Donga-as played in attack from the beginning and sent an accurate kick on Nam's face before wrestling the Vietnamese on the floor in the early time of the first round at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

However, ground fighting was Nam's strong point. He quickly escaped and fought back, trying to finish the match with his heavy face shots, rear-naked choke and guillotine on Donga-as.

The Filipino clenched and braced when receiving these attacks and he survived after five minutes of the first round.

In the second round, Donga-as again attacked first but he still found it hard to resist Nam's counter-attack.

Phạm Văn Nam lands a punch on Estrada Donga-as of the Philippines at the ONE Friday Fights 76 event on August 23 in Thailand. Photo webthethao.vn

When there was one minute left, Nam made Donga-as down on the floor after a series of heavy punches and he was announced a KO winner of the match.

"Thank you all for congratulation and your love for me and my AGOGE team," said Nam.

"It was hard to win this victory as I had only two weeks of preparation. My rival is strong with good technique. I have faced many difficulties to beat him with little luck."

Nam suffered facial cut and swelling after the match and he will need days to recover. VNS