The fight between Smith and Anh Duc was the fourth match at LION Championship (LC) 24, held at the Tay Ho Stadium in Hanoi. The Scottish fighter, born in 1997 and standing at 1.8m tall, is a year younger and 10cm taller than Duc.
Both fighters specialize in grappling and possess excellent physical conditioning. From the first minute, the Vietnamese fighter was taken down and suffered a cut near his right eye, but managed to maintain a back-and-forth contest, including a successful escape from a submission hold.
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Smith (right) throws a punch during his fight against Anh Duc in the 65kg MMA Pro category at LION Championship 24, Tay Ho Stadium, Hanoi on 12/7/2025. Photo: LC |
Smith (right) throws a punch during his fight against Anh Duc in the 65kg MMA Pro category at LION Championship 24, Tay Ho Stadium, Hanoi on 12/7/2025. Photo: LC
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Smith celebrates his victory with his Vietnam Top Team teammates. Photo: LC |
Smith celebrates his victory with his Vietnam Top Team teammates. Photo: LC
However, in the second round, a stumble left Anh Duc vulnerable, allowing Smith to finish the fight. The Scottish fighter secured a hold and landed 9 consecutive knee strikes. The referee immediately intervened to end the match, declaring Smith the winner by technical knockout. Anh Duc left the octagon with a bloody nose.
This marks Harry Smith's first knockout and victory in the MMA Pro category at LION. He previously defeated Pham Thanh Ngan (LC 6) and Tran Viet Anh (LC 8) by unanimous decision in the 65kg amateur MMA category. At LC 17, Smith faced Thanh Ngan again in his Pro MMA debut but lost by split decision.
Born in Scotland to a family with no martial arts background, Smith decided to move to Vietnam after graduating from university. He works as a teacher at an English center while training in mixed martial arts in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Liam Arnold (red shorts) defeats Bui Phong Son by submission at LION Championship 24. Photo: LC |
Liam Arnold (red shorts) defeats Bui Phong Son by submission at LION Championship 24. Photo: LC
In a later match, Smith's Vietnam Top Team teammate, Liam Arnold, also emerged victorious. The English fighter defeated Bui Phong Son by submission (neck crank). Arnold, born in 1986 and standing at 1.64m tall, is 16 years older and 6cm shorter than Son.
This win is considered redemption for the Xuan Bac Ninh Binh MMA team, as Arnold lost to Bui Dinh Khai at LC 21 in April. Prior to that, Arnold defeated Pham Van Quyen by unanimous decision at LC 17.
Hieu Luong
