MMA fighter vacates championship belt due to busy schedule

Nhat said he returned the belt to the organizer last week, as he was busy with other work and did not have time to defend his title.

"I'm busy with coaching and taking young fighters to youth tournaments this year so I don't have time for the Lion Championship," Nhat said.

Nhat reaffirmed that he participated in the Lion Championship with the purpose of promoting the MMA movement in Vietnam. Ever since the first Lion Championship in Vietnam was held last year, it attracted many top domestic and international fighters and gained many fans.

"My strength is Muay Thai so I would like to return the championship and leave it to the new champion," Nhat said.

In the 2022 Lion Championship 60 kg final, Nhat bested Nguyen Tien Long on points after five intense rounds. Along with the title, Nhat also received VND200 million (US$8,200) in prize money.

The Lion Championship belt is currently without an owner. Brazilian fighter Robson Oliveira and Vietnam's Tran Ngoc Luong are considered heavy contenders for the vacant title, with impressive wins this year.

Another Vietnamese fighter, Tran Quang Loc, vacated the 70 kg Lion Championship in June after retiring due to injury.