The development of social needs
The mixed martial arts (MMA) sport was approved by the Thai Organizing Committee of the 33rd SEA Games and the Southeast Asian Sports Federation to be added to the official competition list at this Games. Previously, the Asian Olympic Council (OCA) also decided to allow MMA as the official sport of the 2025 Asian Youth Sports Festival and the 20th ASIAD in 2026.
"We understand that mixed martial arts being officially present in major arenas is suitable for the needs of society. This sport has the attention and interest of fans in many countries and the competition rules are clear, so it should be included in the program of the SEA Games or ASIAD, which is a very welcome thing, said Mr. Ngo Duc Quynh, President of the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation.
Many mixed martial arts tournaments have been held in Vietnam in the form of martial arts on the ring. However, recently, the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation successfully organized the 2025 National MMA Club Championship. The event recognized the tournament as the first national tournament in MMA in Vietnam.
The tournament (closed on July 20) had 160 fighters from many units registered to compete. However, the important point of the 2025 National MMA Club Championship is that fans get closer to this sport.
A national MMA tournament is of great significance for us to further evaluate the development of this sport in many units, said Mr. Tran Van Thach, representative of MMA (Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports).
Before the 2025 National MMA Club Championship takes place, the authorities of the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation must carefully consider and forecast the development of the sport when entering the national playground. MMA is a sport of social interest, but to become a high-performance sport, it must comply with regulations issued by State management agencies.
In May 2025, the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation sent a report on the situation, results of activities and proposals of the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation to the Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports. Some proposals are made with the expectation of adding the National Youth Championship and the National MMA Championship to the official system of the National High Performance Sports Tournament from 2026.
SEA Games Gold Medal target 33
Vietnamese sports will participate in MMA at the 33rd SEA Games. The goal is to strive for a Gold Medal.
At the 33rd SEA Games, host Thailand introduced 6 competitions in MMA including: traditional weightlifting of 54kg, 56kg and modern weightlifting of 60kg men's weightlifting; traditional weightlifting of 54kg and modern weightlifting of 54kg, 65kg women's weightlifting. The management will select which athletes to participate in the 33rd SEA Games that are receiving great attention.
The results of the athletes' competition at the 2025 National MMA Club Championship (closed on July 20) can be one of the facilities to select players to establish the Vietnam MMA Team. However, the decision depends on the professional department of the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation.
The General Martial Arts Department (Department of Physical Education and Sports) and the Vietnam General Martial Arts Federation have developed a competition plan for the 33rd SEA Games. The preliminary decision agreed that when the Vietnam MMA Team was established and carried out the 33rd SEA Games, it will use socialized resources to Thailand without dependence on State funding.
