Lead Photo by Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández on Unsplash
Now in its second year, the Asian Mixed Martial Arts (AMMA) Championship lands in Phnom Penh this Thursday, 11 July 2024. The tournament will see competitors engage in this full-contact sport that combines elements of various fighting styles and disciplines from around the world.
Among those competing is Cambodian Kun Khmer and Taekwondo legend Chan Rothana, who began training in his teens after growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand, and remains unbeaten by stoppage in over 90 fights across Asia.
Superstar MMA fighter Chan Rothana in action
(Psst! To hear more from Chan Rothana on how he helped Kun Khmer bounce back in Cambodia, we highly recommend checking out Episode 1 of Beyond Year Zero, available to stream on Apple Podcasts here and Soundcloud here)
What is the AMMA Championship?
Set up in Singapore by Gordon Tang, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association, the first ever AMMA Championship took place last year in Bangkok, Thailand, with 88 participants representing 17 countries.
Final of the 1st AMMA Championship in Bangkok, August 2023
This year the tournament is even bigger, with “most” of the 45 countries in Asia getting involved, according to Chim Theara, secretary-general of the Cambodian Mixed Martial Arts Federation. At least 100 competitors from over 20 countries are expected to take part.
When and Where are the Events?
The opening ceremony and preliminary round take place on Thursday 11 July, with semi-finals on Friday 12th and the final on Saturday 13th – all at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. The event’s organisers say fighters will compete both in traditional and modern mixed martial arts. (You can buy tickets to any of the events here.)
What’s the Difference Between Traditional MMA and Modern MMA?
Traditional martial arts styles are rooted in history and culture and tend to have their own rituals or quirks when it comes to how fighters dress, train, interact with their opponents, and so on. Think ancient, highly disciplined martial arts styles like karate and kung fu, where you progress through clearly defined stages and levels to master the art.
Modern martial arts are a lot more fluid – and, generally speaking, much more concerned with figuring out what’s going to knock out an opponent than demonstrating perfectly mastered technique. Styles like Jiu-Jitsu and Kun Khmer / Muy Thai fall into this category. That’s not to say Kun Khmer doesn’t have a rich history – it certainly does – but it’s more of a free-for-all in the ring than a carefully controlled style like taekwondo, for example.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) usually falls into the “modern” category since, as the name suggests, pretty much anything goes. So what will the difference be in this round of the AMMA championship? We’re as intrigued as you are. All the more reason to grab a ticket and find out for yourself.
Who’s Representing Cambodia in the AMMA Championship 2024?
Last year, Cambodia picked up two bronze medals at the AMMA Championship. Competing on the Cambodian side this year we have:
Traditional MMA – Women’s Team
Chendaroth Khiev (~49kg)
Srey Pov Nao (~54kg)
Vanita Kun (~69kg)
Modern MMA – Women’s Team
Tharoth Oum (~54kg)
Sreyphin Toun (~60kg)
Traditional MMA – Men’s Team
Sophana Pheng (~56kg)
La Long (~60kg)
Saroth Rin (~65kg)
Kimheang Hun (~71kg)
Moeu Meas (~77kg)
Teixeira Machad O Thiago (~85kg)
Chanreach Hun (~120kg),
Modern MMA – Men’s Team
Eat Thean (~60kg)
Rothana Chan (~65kg)
Virekkaamchhit Phouthong Eh (~71kg)
Phy Hat (~77kg)
The 2nd Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship, Olympic Stadium, 11th-13th July. Tickets cost from 40,000៛ ($10) for one day or 108,000៛ for all three days. You can buy them online here.