The fight on 16/8 in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, aimed to select a challenger for the 60kg LION champion Tran Ngoc Luong. However, Nhut and Nghia created an MMA match criticized as "Vietnam's most frustrating."

The fight lasted the full 5 rounds, totaling 25 minutes, but both fighters primarily engaged in tentative exchanges, throwing feints and shadowboxing. Referee Hoang Manh Tung had to stop the match three times to urge them to be more active, deducting a point from each fighter twice. From the third round, Nghia managed some takedowns but couldn't capitalize against his opponent. Ultimately, Nghia won by unanimous decision.

Tran Minh Nhut (left) competes against 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*

The audience at Cam Ranh Square and on social media criticized the fighters' competitive spirit. Coach Johnny Tri Nguyen also sparked controversy with a post on his personal fanpage, suggesting the fight had more to it than met the eye. "But, let it be the most frustrating MMA match ever, with a few mysteries," Nguyen stated.

5 days after the match, Tran Minh Nhut admitted to competing with an injury. He posted his MRI results from 2/8, showing a minor knee effusion, a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament, and damage to the posterior horn of the medial and lateral meniscus.

"The doctor advised me not to compete because I could tear the ligament, but I couldn't cancel because the organizers' preparations were complete," Nhut wrote on his Facebook page. "On the final weigh-in day, I suffered another ligament injury that caused my knee to swell significantly."

Tran Minh Nhut at the hospital and the results of his knee injury examination on 2/8/2025. Photo: *Facebook/Tran Minh Nhut*

The 1989-born fighter said his wife suggested canceling the match, but he refused due to the potential contract penalties. "I told my wife that if I was unlucky enough to tear the ligament, I'd have to retire. The treatment cost would be 60 to 70 million dong plus a year of recovery," Nhut explained. "In such a situation, I think everyone would do the same. Everyone saw what I could do in the ring."

Nhut also denied allegations of conserving energy for a 59kg title fight against Mui Trong Vinh at Gods of Martial Arts (GMA) 08. That match, scheduled for 6/9 in Ho Chi Minh City, was later canceled due to Nhut's injury and Vinh's wedding.

Regarding the fight against Bach Van Nghia, Nhut affirmed his eagerness for the opportunity to compete for the 60kg LION title. He trained diligently, with two daily sessions at Lien Phong and one with former 70kg LION champion Tran Quang Loc. "I was also very frustrated and upset because I couldn't unleash everything I had prepared for the past few months for the match," Nhut shared. "I have never discriminated between LION or GMA. I respect all tournaments, big or small."

A LION Championship organizer stated that Nhut's decision to hide his injury and compete cautiously was a mistake compounded by another mistake. "Nhut misunderstands how the organizers work," the representative told VnExpress. "This also affected the quality of the 25th event and the image of Vietnamese martial arts."

The contract between Van Nghia and Minh Nhut included a penalty clause for unilateral cancellation. However, this would not apply in cases of *force majeure*, such as injuries sustained during training.

Tran Minh Nhut and coach Johnny Tri Nguyen (right) before the match against Bach Van Nghia. Photo: *LION*

Nhut should have informed the organizers of his injury as soon as he received the hospital results, to develop a contingency plan. The next step would have been for LION to request an independent medical examination with a third party. If the injury was confirmed, the fighter could cancel the contract. "Canceling this way would certainly have caused less frustration than letting the match happen," the LION representative said.

Nhut, 36, is an experienced fighter with a record of four wins and four losses in professional MMA. He is considered coach Johnny Tri Nguyen's right-hand man at Lien Phong martial arts center, a pioneering institution for the MMA movement in Vietnam.

Nhut's case is reminiscent of Robson Oliveira's broken leg, which led to the cancellation of his 60kg LION title defense in July. The difference is that Robson's injury occurred not during training but while competing in ONE Championship, Asia's largest mixed martial arts organization, in early May, two months before his scheduled fight against Luong. Robson's actions were deemed unprofessional as he had previously signed a contract with LION, requiring him not to compete for at least three months prior to the match.

Luong's club, AGOGE, subsequently filed a complaint requesting 300 million dong in compensation from Robson and C88 club. Later, AGOGE coach Nguyen Hoai Nam confirmed that the amount was reduced to 100 million dong after negotiations.

The two clubs also had two notable title fights at LION 23 and 25. In June, Le Van Tuan of C88 knocked out Pham Van Nam in the 56kg category. On 16/8, Tran Ngoc Luong of AGOGE won by technical knockout against Le Van Tuan in the 60kg category.

Hieu Luong