4 new formats at MMA LION Championship 2025

On March 13, the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation (VMMAF) held a press conference to introduce the 2025 MMA LION Championship as well as the plan to organize the MMA competition (general martial arts) this year.

Attending the meeting were Mr. Nguyen Tuan Cuong - Vice President of VMMAF, Mr. Tran Dai Trieu - Deputy Arbitration Committee/Special Board of VMMAF, Mr. Dao Ngoc Tuoc - Head of Communications - External Affairs Board of VMMAF.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Cuong said: "In 2025, VMMAF will continue to implement the goals of organizing MMA competitions with three main spearheads, including developing a high-performance MMA competition system, focusing on the 2025 National General Martial Arts Club Cup; preparing for competitions in tournaments under the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association system, aiming to attend the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan; organizing the competition of the professional MMA tournament system LION Championship".

With the LION Championship professional MMA tournament system, according to the plan, the 2025 season will organize 9 events in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Cam Ranh City (Khanh Hoa), Phu Quoc City (Kien Giang).

Accordingly, in Hanoi, events LC21, LC22, LC24, LC26, LC27, LC29 will take place; Ho Chi Minh City will organize LC23; Cam Ranh City (Khanh Hoa) will organize LC25 and Phu Quoc City (Kien Giang) will organize LC28.

In particular, MMA LION Championship 2025 will apply 4 completely new and experimental competition formats, which are striking, ground fighting, parallel fighting and gauntlet.

Mr. Tran Dai Trieu - Deputy Referee/Specialisation Board of VMMAF shared: "Each event is expected to have about 10-12 matches, including matches applying a new format along with some traditional MMA matches.

With two formats of duo and gauntlet, it is a team competition. While striking and ground fighting will play through the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals to find the championship belt owner. Therefore, when competing in these two real events, fighters need to go through 3 events.

The VMMAF will strive to conduct testing of these 4 formats to achieve the best results in the 2025 season. Safety is still a mandatory factor that we must put first."

LION Championship is an annual tournament that receives the participation of most MMA clubs and fighters across the country. The tournament brings the only professional playground in Vietnam, bringing Vietnamese MMA into global MMA. Many fighters have matured from the tournament and continue to make their mark, achieving international achievements.

With efforts in organization and new features in the competition format, LION Championship 2025 promises to bring dramatic and attractive competitions, expanding opportunities for fighters from many sports and bringing more diverse experiences to the audience.