Lion Championship 26: Minh Phát’s MMA Debut Headlines in Hanoi

Vietnam’s premier MMA promotion Lion Championship is set to light up the Tây Hồ Sports Palace in Hanoi on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with a card that blends international matchups, domestic rivalries, and the debut of one of the country’s most decorated strikers.

Minh Phát Steps Into MMA

The main attraction is the highly anticipated debut of Trương Cao Minh Phát, Vietnam’s top Muay Thai fighter, who will compete under MMA Striking rules against Ireland’s Aaron Clarke.

Phát, a national champion for eight consecutive years and the only man to defeat Muay legend Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất, has collected accolades ranging from SEA Games medals to a WBC Muay Thai world title. Now, the 30-year-old enters the Lion cage for the first time, armed with his trademark elbows, knees, and relentless forward pressure.

His opponent, Clarke, is no stranger to elite competition. The Irish striker, a two-time ISKA kickboxing champion, has tallied 16 professional bouts, including appearances at K-1 events. His 2023 clash with Japanese standout Yuki Yoza showcased his toughness and striking pedigree.

Key Bouts to Watch

Beyond the headline debut, LC26 delivers a strong lineup of Vietnamese and international talent:

• MMA Pro (56kg): Veteran Trần Trọng Kim faces rising contender Nguyễn Phú Thịnh in a battle billed as a “clash of generations.”
• MMA Pro (60kg): A heated rematch as Nguyễn Hợp Hải takes on Danh Quốc, the fighter dubbed “Vietnam’s McGregor.” Their 2023 meeting ended in Hải’s favor on points, sparking plenty of debate and setting the stage for revenge.
• MMA Pro (65kg): Nguyễn Quốc Huy goes up against Nguyễn Trung Hải in another all-Vietnam showdown.
• MMA Striking (57kg): Võ Minh Nghĩa meets Cambodia’s Tha Vanthorn in a Vietnam vs. Kun Khmer test.
• MMA Striking (56kg): Phan Vũ Bảo faces Von Kimcheng, continuing the Vietnam–Cambodia rivalry.
• MMA Striking (60kg): Đỗ Nguyễn Minh Quyền collides with Nguyễn Tiến Phát in a domestic striking showcase.

Full Fight Card – LC26 (Hanoi, Vietnam – Sep 13, 2025, 8:00 PM ICT)

Significance

With seven action-packed bouts, including the cross-border clashes with Cambodian Kun Khmer fighters, LC26 is more than just a fight night — it’s a statement of how Vietnamese MMA is expanding its horizons. The debut of Minh Phát marks a milestone, bringing one of the country’s most famous Muay Thai champions into the cage, further strengthening Lion Championship’s position as the driving force of professional MMA in Vietnam.