Dong Nai female fighter Lo Thi Phung wins gold at Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships 2026

Dong Nai female fighter Lo Thi Phung claimed the gold medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships 2026 held in China.

Lo Thi Phung wins Asian gold medal. Photo courtesy of VMMAF

Lo Thi Phung was one of two fighters from Dong Nai among the 10 male and female athletes on the Vietnam national mixed martial arts (MMA) team who participated in the 3rd Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships in 2026 (AMMA Championship). The tournament, organized by the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association, was held from January 7 to 11 in Luzhou, China. This occasion is a major ranking event, contributing points toward key upcoming competitions such as ASIAD 20 in Japan and the 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Saudi Arabia.

Referee declares Lo Thi Phung the winner in the final bout. Photo: Screenshot from clip

At the tournament, Lo Thi Phung (born in 1998) defeats two strong opponents, Thanyaret Suksamran of Thailand and Narantur Enkhjin of Mongolia, to secure a place in the final of the women’s 49kg modern MMA category. In the final, the Dong Nai fighter continues to show confidence and composure, defeating Iranian opponent Akbaridast Gerdi Mobina in just 51 seconds to claim the prestigious continental gold medal.

Vietnamese fighter Lo Thi Phung (in red) finishes the final bout in 51 seconds. Photo: Screenshot from clip

Lo Thi Phung’s gold medal not only marks a personal triumph but also represents a significant milestone for Vietnamese MMA. With this result, the Dong Nai fighter earns a berth at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Meanwhile, fellow Dong Nai athlete Vo Vu Le exits in the round of 16, a result that still secures qualification for ASIAD to be held in Japan in October.

Lo Thi Phung has previously brought honor to Vietnamese sports and Dong Nai province. Competing for the Dong Nai jujitsu team, she has won gold medals at Southeast Asian tournaments and domestic competitions in 2024 and 2025.

By Huy Anh – Translated by Thuc Oanh, Minho