In less than a decade, mixed martial arts (MMA) in Vietnam has transformed from a spontaneous grassroots movement into a well-structured sport that is beginning to deliver impressive international results.

Rising from the grassroots

The establishment of the Vietnam Mixed Martial Arts Federation (VMMAF) in 2020 marked a significant turning point for the sport. Since then, national and youth MMA tournaments have been held regularly, providing opportunities to discover new talent committed to professional-level competition.

Launched in 2022, the Lion Championship MMA is Vietnam’s first professional tournament exclusively dedicated to MMA. Organized by VMMAF in collaboration with partners, the Lion Championship quickly became a springboard for young local fighters and played a major role in shaping a structured MMA ecosystem within the country. The tournament spans the entire year and features multiple qualifying rounds, semi-finals, and finals in a knockout format.

Male fighters compete across eight weight classes (56 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 77 kg, 84 kg, 93 kg), while female fighters compete in the 52 kg division. Each match takes place inside an international-standard octagon, typically consisting of three five-minute rounds. Title matches can extend to five rounds.

Fighters are recruited from various sources, including domestic MMA clubs, professionals transitioning from other combat sports, and promising amateurs. Ranking, pairing, and scoring systems are strictly applied to ensure transparency and fairness. Through this platform, fighters like Tran Quang Loc (who won gold at the 2023 SEA Games) have emerged as national icons of MMA, embodying passion and relentless determination. Rising stars such as Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc, Pham Quoc Dat, and Hoang Nam Thang have also drawn attention at international competitions, reflecting Vietnam’s growing potential in martial arts.

At the 2023 SEA Games, MMA was officially included in the competition program. Vietnam secured several medals, with Tran Quang Loc clinching gold in the 65 kg category, underscoring the country’s ability to compete within Southeast Asia. In the 2024 Asian MMA Championship, two Vietnamese fighters reached the semi-finals, marking another milestone even though no medals were won. Previously, fighter Nguyen Tien Long earned a gold medal in traditional MMA (65 kg) at the first Asian MMA Championship in 2023.

Most recently, on May 23, fighter Nghiem Van Y advanced to the semi-finals of the MMA Road to UFC 2025, with the tournament scheduled to conclude in August. Beyond regional contests, Vietnamese fighters like Pham Quoc Dat and Hoang Nam Thang have also competed in global organizations such as IMMAF, BRAVE CF, and ROAD FC, signaling Vietnam’s initial steps into the global MMA arena.

Challenges and development strategy

Despite these promising achievements, Vietnam’s MMA landscape still faces many hurdles. There are currently no international-standard training centers in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Most existing gyms are privately operated and lack the proper cages required for hosting professional national competitions. The coaching staff is also underdeveloped, with many trainers transitioning from disciplines such as boxing, judo, muay thai, and wushu, without the comprehensive expertise required by modern MMA standards.

Financial constraints further hinder progress, as many fighters must fund their own training and lack the necessary resources to prepare fully for international competition.

In response, the VMMAF is crafting a strategic development plan through 2030, with clear objectives: establishing a national MMA training center, scouting talent from across provinces, and increasing international collaboration. A major goal includes organizing a national-level professional MMA league modeled after ONE Championship, which would provide athletes with consistent competition and attract sponsorship.

National MMA team head coach Tran Van Thang expressed optimism, stating: “We don’t just want to participate. We want Vietnamese fighters to play vital roles in major arenas like ONE and UFC in the next few years.”

However, a strong and supportive policy framework is still lacking. To build a sustainable ecosystem, Vietnam needs investments in infrastructure, access to international experts, and long-term financial support. MMA is one of the few sports in Vietnam that has clear potential to make an international breakthrough. Former Director General of Vietnam’s General Department of Sports and Physical Training, Dang Ha Viet, emphasized: “We must focus investments on targeted sports, including facilities and talent development, aiming for major events like ASIAD 2026 and the 2028 Olympics. That includes giving emerging sports like MMA a proper development path.”

MMA is a combat sport that demands strength, strategy, endurance, and unwavering resolve. Vietnam already has a rich history in traditional martial arts. With MMA, the country can fuse classical techniques with modern combat principles, forging a path that reflects national identity.

To see Vietnamese fighters step onto the UFC stage and proudly raise the national flag in global arenas, strategic investment is essential from the state, the federation, the community, and the private sector. MMA in Vietnam stands at a pivotal moment. If it can overcome the limitations of facilities, manpower, and funding, it has every chance to rise to global prominence and showcase the strength and character of a nation proud of its martial arts heritage.

Tien Phong