A screenshot of Pham Van Nam (R) running around the ring holding the Vietnamese flag after losing to Norachart Sutharang in the 56kg traditional MMA category at the 33rd SEA Games, in the MCC Hall arena in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Dec. 10, 2025.
Competing at the MCC Hall in Nonthaburi on Wednesday, Nam fought to a draw against home favorite Norachart Sutharang after two main rounds (three minutes each) and a one-minute overtime period.
With the scores tied, the referee declared Sutharang the winner based on the final tie-breaking criterion in martial arts: body weight. The Thai fighter was lighter than Nam, securing his place in the final and relegating the Vietnamese star to the bronze medal match.
The decision cost Nam a shot at the gold medal and a potential VND200 million award from the Vietnam Mixed Martial Arts Federation (VMMAF).
Visibly distraught after the announcement, Nam wore the Vietnamese flag over his shoulders and ran around the ring in defiance.
“I dominated both the main and extra rounds, but the result was still a defeat,” Nam said. “I want to tell the referees that I’m the winner. They favored the host’s fighter. I accept the result, but I’m proud that I did what I could.”
Despite his strong speech, the 33-year-old fighter cried like a child backstage. At 33, this is only his first time at the SEA Games.
“Even if my opponent wins, in the eyes of many spectators, he will still be the loser,” he added.
Vietnam MMA team leader Tong Thi Ngoc Hoa and VMMAF secretary general and head coach Mai Thanh Ba both agreed that Nam was treated unfairly, claiming the organizers “have stolen the fighter’s hard work,” and that Nam deserved to win in regular time.
A chaotic sequence at the end of the second round also added to the tension.
After the final whistle, Nam attempted a takedown, and Sutharang countered with a knee strike and a punch while Nam was grounded. Vietnam lodged a complaint, arguing that Sutharang committed two fouls: an illegal knee to the head (prohibited in non-final matches) and a strike after the bell.
Võ sĩ Việt Nam tố bị xỠép sau khi thua vì nặng cân hơn đối thủ Thái Lan
The controversial situation occurred during an MMA match between Vietnam’s Pham Van Nam and Thailand’s Norachart Sutharang at SEA Games on Dec. 10, 2025.
However, after video review, referees dismissed the foul claims. This view was supported by coach Nguyen Hoai Nam, Nam’s former coach at the Lion Championship, who said Sutharang’s knee struck his chest, not the head.
On MMA forums, many pointed out that the referee made a mistake in this situation.
The defeat fueled suspicions of bias, especially after Nam’s teammates Tran Ngoc Luong (60kg) and Quang Van Minh (65kg) had earlier eliminated Thai opponents to reach their respective finals.
“Everyone saw the pressure on Sutharang after the other Thai fighters were eliminated,” said team leader Ngoc Hoa. “When a decision had to be made on points, the home fighter would have the advantage.”
Nam’s journey to the SEA Games has been inspiring. He worked as a Grab driver to support his martial arts training before rising to fame in the Lion Championship, where he held the 56kg belt from 2022 to 2025.
Nam will compete for the bronze medal against Singapore’s Kang Soon Peng Jude on Thursday.
MMA is featured at the SEA Games for the first time as a demonstration sport, with six medal events that do not count toward the overall tally.