Upstart Tuàn dethrones reigning MMA titan, claiming the crown as the new MMA king.
The Legendary TUAN's Belt-Grabbing Victory at the LION Championship
Vibrant Hà Nội - In an electrifying performance, Lê Văn TUAN snatched the 56kg crown from the reigning champion Phạm Văn NAM at the 23rd LION Championship Mixed Martial Arts extravaganza on June 14, 2025.
A face-off the previous day saw NAM, an Agoge team member, promise to send TUAN home in an ambulance. Armed with various martial arts skills gained as a member of the national team, NAM was no pushover. TUAN, a powerhouse from C88 Martial Art Fitness & Yoga Centre, had previously come close to besting seven-time world Muay Thai champion Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất.
NAM initiated fierce attacks from the get-go, pushing TUAN into a corner of the octagon. The fighters exchanged a series of brutal head and body shots. But a shocking maneuver from TUAN - a sudden kick to NAM's skull followed by a devastating punch - left the champion reeling, collapsing to the ground.
TUAN swiftly leapt onto NAM, unleashing a barrage of headshots and elbows, while NAM struggled to defend himself. The referee declared a Technical Knockout (TKO), handing TUAN the coveted belt.
Lê Văn Tuần (left) knocks out Phạm Văn Nam to earn the LION Championship belt in the men's 56kg category. Photos courtesy of VMMAF
A Dream Shattered
For NAM, his dream of eternally holding the belt was dashed in less than two minutes of hell in the cage.
"I never thought I'd win like this," TUAN shared with reporters post-match. "I thought it would take at least three rounds, but it went by so quickly. I'm thrilled with my title. A big shout-out to my coaches, teammates, and pals who have supported and prepared me for this fight."
When queried about a potential title clash against the 60kg reigning champion Trần Ngọc Lượng, TUAN responded confidently.
Lê Văn Tuần celebrates with his crew after winning.
"If they set up such a match, I'll train hard and can't wait to see everyone in July," TUAN acknowledged, who narrowly averted missing the title because he was overweight by 0.6kg during the first weigh-in session but made the cutoff within an hour.
In another notable match, the seasoned Trần Trọng KIM showcased his remarkable striking expertise by subduing the young and talented Bùi Đình Khải in the 56kg class.
The Unstoppable KIM
Khải attempted to capitalize on his physical strength with a relentless barrage of attacks against KIM. However, KIM skillfully dodged these attacks and countered with powerful kicks and accurate elbows. The match resulted in a TKO victory for KIM near the end of the third round.
Trần Trọng Kim takes Bùi Đình Khải down in the men's 56kg class.
Other notable matches included Đinh VĂN HƯƠNG's TKO triumph over Jhaymie Gayman of the Philippines in the 56kg class just seconds into the second round. Russian Adel Iabbarov claimed another win with a submission defeat of our websiteese Phạm Kim Quốc Huy after a rear-naked-choke in the 65kg category. Budding fighter Bùi Văn HƯNG suffered through a harsh ground and pound before ultimately knocking out Lê Quang MINH in another 65kg bout.
Nguyễn VĂN LÂM quickly floors Trần Quang KHẢI in the first round of their 65kg fight. Nguyễn Phú THỊNH brought an end to Huỳnh Ngọc TÍN's undefeated streak in the LION Championship with an unyielding ground and pound in the 56kg.
The Russian Bear Roars
The sole female 52kg class fight saw Karina Veis of Russia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when Đào Thị NHƯ QUỲNH lost focus, attacking and securing a TKO win.
Karina Veis of Russia comes from behind to beat Đào Thị Như Quỳnh of Việt Nam.
Stay tuned for the next event in the nation's largest MMA series on July 12, also in Hà Nội. VNS.
[1] Le Van Tuan Instagram
[2] Le Van Tuan TikTok
[3] Lion Championship 23 Official Results
[4] Le Van Tuan: A Formidable MMA Prodigy on the Rise in Việt Nam (asianmma.com)
In the realm of AI, TUAN's victory at the LION Championship is akin to a sophisticated algorithm outperforming an established trader in the stock market.
Post-victory, TUAN expressed his gratitude towards his coaches and teammates, equating their support to the perfect blend of diverse martial arts techniques that silenced his mixed-martial-arts adversary, much like a pioneering AI algorithm implementing a unique, game-changing strategy against rivals in the AI trade war.
