Nam beats Kokurkin to become first MFC champion

Martial Arts

Phạm Văn Nam celebrates his win at the MFC. Photos of organisers

HCM CITY — Phạm Văn Nam became the first champion of the “Master Of Fights Championship” (MFC) after his submission victory over tough rival Roman Kokurkin over the weekend in HCM City.

The Russian top mixed martial artist set his domination in the first two rounds with Nam mainly on the back foot. 

The Vietnamese LION Championship winner clearly understood his rival was master of jujitsu. He took advantageous of his striking and grappling technique to either put Kokurkin on edge of the cage or wrestle him to the floor.

Kokurkin successfully escaped several times but in the middle of the third round, Nam took him down, locked his arm and delivered a rear-naked-choke. Kokurkin tried to get out but finally tapped in submission. 

The referee immediately stopped the fight and Nam was announced winner of the match, taking away the 60kg belt.

Nam was delighted with his second belt within one year and celebrated with coaches and supporters.

Kokurkin was disappointed with his defeat, saying he was in leading position in the first two rounds but mistakes in the third cost him. He hoped to have a rematch with Nam in the near future.

The winner bagged his golden belt and VNĐ30 million bonus in cash while the loser was comforted with VNĐ20 million.

As the champion, Nam will have a match to defend his title in the next season which is scheduled early 2024.

Phạm Văn Nam applied a rear-naked-choke to secure a submission win over Russian Roman Kokurkin.

Earlier, martial art lovers were entertained with seven other thrilling fights with four knockout wins of mixed martial art (MMA), kickboxing and Muay Thai at the MCV Complex stage.

In the MMA 69kg class, Hứa Văn Thanh Long beat Trần Tuấn by grappling him down and taking a rear-naked-choke in the second round.

Also in MMA, Nguyễn Đức Hải Triều overshadowed the 64kg bout, flooring Nguyễn Thanh Hiếu in the first round.

In the 60kg match of kickboxing, Đặng Từ Huy knocked out Lê Trung Hiếu near the end off the three-round match with just 30 seconds left.

Trần Phan Ngọc Hân (right) delivers a punch on Nguyễn Thanh Hằng during in the women’s 51kg category.

The only female fight saw Trần Phan Ngọc Hân defeat Nguyễn Thanh Hằng in the 51kg category.

In Muay Thai, Vũ Đại Luật gave no chance to Nguyễn Quốc Thắng in the 57kg class. He dominated the bout with heavy attacks and made his rival collapse in second round.

Earlier, Bùi Trần Anh Tuấn beat Thomas Abati in the 51kg class and Dương Hoàng Tuấn defeated Đỗ Thành Đạt in the 54kg pool.

The MFC, jointly organised by the MCV Group and the Việt Nam Mixed Martial Arts Joint Stock Company, is scheduled to be held every three months in HCM City. 

There will be from seven to eight fights at each event in which local and international athletes invited to fight under the message of “Glory to the Brave Warriors”.

According to organisers, MFC targets to be a combination of a professional sport competition and attractive entertainment experience. It is a stage where talented fighters can show off their skills and strength, and at the same time bring joy and excitement to supporters. VNS