The August 16th bout in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, aimed to select a challenger for the LION Championship 60kg titleholder, Tran Ngoc Luong. Both Bach Van Nghia and Tran Minh Nhut were expected to deliver an exciting match.

Nhut, 36, is a seasoned fighter with a 4-4 record in professional MMA. He is considered Johnny Tri Nguyen's right-hand man at the Lien Phong martial arts school. Nghia, 14 years younger, is a rising star in the MMA world.

Tran Minh Nhut (left) faces Bach Van Nghia (right) in the 60kg category at LION Championship 25, held at Cam Ranh Square, Khanh Hoa on 16/8/2025. Photo: *LION*

However, their performance fell short of expectations, frustrating the audience. Throughout the five-round, 25-minute fight, Minh Nhut and Van Nghia primarily engaged in tentative exchanges, throwing feints and showcasing elaborate but ineffective movements. Referee Hoang Manh Tung stopped the fight three times to urge them to be more aggressive, deducting a point from each fighter on two occasions. Outside the octagon, coach Johnny Tri Nguyen simply smiled, offering no reaction or support to his fighter between rounds.

Many spectators voiced their frustration. One said, "This isn't a dance performance. The fighters aren't performing as expected. We want to see skill, technique, and powerful strikes, not this theatrical display."

It wasn't until the third round that Nghia executed some takedowns, but they posed little threat to his agile opponent. The 25-minute fight concluded without either fighter sustaining any visible injuries. Nghia ultimately won by unanimous decision.

Bach Van Nghia (left) secured victory against Tran Minh Nhut by unanimous decision. Photo: *LION*

A Vietnamese MMA fan page described the fight as a "cure for insomnia." On the LION Championship fan page, many comments criticized the fighters' lack of engagement and expressed disappointment over the wasted 25 minutes.

"The worst fight I've ever seen in this tournament. Incredibly frustrating," wrote Tara Kim.

"As the commentator said, the damage Minh Nhut inflicted on his opponent over five rounds was 0%," commented Phan Duc Quy.

Hieu Nghia wrote, "I'm not attacking anyone, but Nhut's blatant avoidance tactics showed no martial arts spirit, dedication, or respect for the audience, especially for a highly ranked fighter. There are more professional ways to handle this, like changing weight classes or declining the fight. I don't understand why his team chose this approach."

Nguyen Hoai Nam, coach of the AGOGE team, who recently guided Tran Ngoc Luong to victory over Le Van Tuan for the LION 60kg title, dismissed the fight as uneventful, unworthy of comment, and unprofessional.

Johnny Tri Nguyen immediately responded, claiming there was much to discuss but choosing to remain silent. "Lien Phong doesn't prioritize winning over audience appreciation, and no Lien Phong fighter has ever entered the LION Championship seeking validation through results," Johnny stated. "I've never been in a fighter's corner without offering support between rounds. But, let it be the most frustrating MMA fight ever, with a few mysteries surrounding it."

Johnny Tri Nguyen observes the fight from outside the octagon. Photo: Screenshot

The Lien Phong MMA leader's statement drew criticism for its perceived lack of commitment to the sport. He was seen as contradicting his previous statements about MMA philosophy. Johnny Tri Nguyen had once said, "My philosophy is like the Brazilian national soccer team: always attack. Sometimes, that means losing. To grow this sport, we need to make fights as exciting as possible. We can make a safe movie, but by being proactive and decisive, we can also make a great movie."

Minh Nhut's passive fighting style was attributed to his desire to conserve energy and avoid injury. The 36-year-old fighter is preparing to compete for the 59kg title against Mui Trong Vinh at Gods of Martial Arts (GMA) 08, scheduled for September 6th in Ho Chi Minh City. This tournament is founded and developed by Johnny Tri Nguyen himself.

The Lien Phong martial arts school was established in the 1930s by Nguyen Chanh Minh, nicknamed "White Swallow of Ca Mau." Johnny Tri Nguyen (Nguyen Chanh Minh Tri), his grandson, has carried on the family tradition, developing Lien Phong's MMA style since 2012.

Lien Phong and Johnny Tri Nguyen are considered pioneers in the development of MMA in Vietnam. The school's most famous fighter is Tran Quang Loc, a former LION 70kg champion and one of the first Vietnamese fighters to compete in ONE Championship, Asia's largest mixed martial arts organization.

Johnny Tri Nguyen was born in Binh Duong and moved to the US with his family at the age of 8. After a stint as a singer overseas and a Hollywood stuntman, he returned to Vietnam as an actor, gaining fame in films like *The Rebel*, *Kiss of Death*, *The Legend of the White Hair Bride*, *Clash*, and *Teo Em*. After the 2016 film *Fanatic* co-starring Thai Hoa, he reduced his involvement in Vietnamese cinema. Johnny Tri Nguyen hasn't participated in any Vietnamese film projects since 2017.

He occasionally takes on supporting roles in Hollywood films, such as *Da 5 Bloods* (2020), a $45 million Netflix production directed by Spike Lee. In 2023, he appeared in the series *The Continental: From the World of John Wick*, a *John Wick* prequel, alongside his girlfriend Nhung Kate.

Beyond training, the actor embraces a meditative lifestyle, seeking mindfulness in life.

Hieu Luong