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Ben Nguyen
Ben Nguyen
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Benjamin "Ben" Nguyen (born August 3, 1988), or Nguyễn Ben, is an American mixed martial artist who competed as a flyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he compiled a record of 4–3 with the organization. He is also a former Nitro Bantamweight Champion and[3] K-Oz Bantamweight Champion.[4]

Key Information

MMA career

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Early career

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Nguyen began his professional mixed martial arts career while working during the day as a computer technician. In 2012 he went to Thailand to attend Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Scholar Athlete program. He then moved to Brisbane, Australia fighting from there.

Nguyen made his professional MMA debut in December 2006, losing his first fight. Over the next nearly eight years, he amassed a record of 14 wins against 5 losses and in the process became the Nitro Bantamweight Champion, K-Oz Bantamweight Champion and the number one Bantamweight in Australia in 2015.

Nguyen achieved internet fame when his March 8, 2014 fight versus Julian Wallace surfaced on YouTube. Wallace attempted to intimidate Nguyen at the pre-fight weigh-ins by forcefully putting his fist against Nguyen's chin and trying to put Nguyen off his game.[5][6] This tactic, however, proved ineffective as Nguyen knocked Wallace out within 25 seconds of the first round. The video of this fight went viral and has amassed over 58 million views on YouTube, and over 100 million views on Facebook and other social network platforms.[7][8][9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Nguyen made his promotional debut, facing Alptekin Özkılıç on May 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 65.[10] He won the fight via KO in the first round.[11]

Nguyen faced Ryan Benoit on November 15, 2015, at UFC 193.[12] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[13]

Nguyen was expected to face Justin Scoggins on March 20, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 85.[14] However, Scoggins pulled out of the fight in the week leading up to the event citing injury. As a result, Nguyen was pulled from the card entirely.[15]

Nguyen next faced Louis Smolka on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 91.[16] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[17]

Nguyen faced Geane Herrera on November 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 101.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Nguyen was expected to face Joseph Benavidez on June 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 110.[20] However, Benavidez pulled out of the fight on May 10 with a knee injury and was replaced by Tim Elliott.[21] He won the fight by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[22] The win also earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[23]

Nguyen faced Jussier Formiga on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221.[24] He lost the fight via technical submission in the third round due to a rear-naked choke.[25]

Nguyen faced Wilson Reis on December 2, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 142.[26] He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[27][28]

Rizin Fighting Federation

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On January 31, 2019 Rizin Fighting Federation announced Nguyen had signed for the promotion.[29] He faced Kyoji Horiguchi in a 132-pound catchweight bout on April 21, 2019, at Rizin 15.[30] Nguyen lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[31]

Personal life

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Nguyen's hometown is Sioux Falls, South Dakota.[32] Nguyen said that he started Taekwondo when he was twelve years old after he was bullied in school by both White American and Black American students.[33] After high school, he went to college to become an engineer but then he switched paths to follow his dream of becoming an MMA fighter.

Nguyen met his wife, Brisbane kickboxer April Adams, while training in Thailand, eventually following her to make Brisbane his home. They married in late 2015.[34] In a 2015 video, Nguyen said that he owns two cats which were both about a year old.[35] Nguyen said that he likes cars and motorcycles.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
27 matches 18 wins 9 losses
By knockout 10 6
By submission 5 2
By decision 3 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–9 Kyoji Horiguchi KO (punches) Rizin 15 April 21, 2019 1 2:53 Yokohama, Japan Catchweight (60 kg) bout.
Loss 18–8 Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa December 2, 2018 3 5:00 Adelaide, Australia
Loss 18–7 Jussier Formiga Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 221 February 11, 2018 3 1:43 Perth, Australia
Win 18–6 Tim Elliott Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt June 11, 2017 1 0:49 Auckland, New Zealand Performance of the Night.
Win 17–6 Geane Herrera Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson November 27, 2016 3 5:00 Melbourne, Australia
Loss 16–6 Louis Smolka TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 2016 2 4:41 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 16–5 Ryan Benoit Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 193 November 15, 2015 1 2:35 Melbourne, Australia
Win 15–5 Alp Ozkilic TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt May 10, 2015 1 4:59 Adelaide, Australia Flyweight debut.
Win 14–5 Reece McLaren Decision (unanimous) Nitro MMA 12 October 11, 2014 5 5:00 Logan City, Australia Defended the Nitro MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 13–5 Julian Wallace KO (punch) Nitro MMA 11 March 8, 2014 1 0:25 Logan City, Australia Won the Nitro MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 12–5 Shantaram Maharaj Submission (rear-naked choke) K-Oz Entertainment – Bragging Rights 6: Night of Titles July 27, 2013 3 3:58 Madeley, Australia
Win 11–5 Luke Morris Decision (unanimous) K.O. Martial Arts: Adrenalin-Unleashed June 29, 2013 3 5:00 Eatons Hill, Australia
Win 10–5 Kian Pham TKO (punches) Australia Regional April 27, 2013 2 2:48 Brisbane, Australia
Win 9–5 Greg Penaloza TKO (doctor stoppage) Roshambo MMA 1: In the Cage April 6, 2013 2 5:00 Brisbane, Australia
Win 8–5 Andrew Whitney Submission (armbar) The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 9 April 23, 2011 1 3:48 Hankinson, North Dakota, United States
Loss 7–5 Chavalit Sityodtong TKO (punches) Martial Combat 7 August 18, 2010 2 N/A Sentosa, Singapore
Win 7–4 Laramie Shaffer TKO (doctor stoppage) OFC: Battle at Huset's Speedway July 31, 2010 1 5:00 Brandon, South Dakota, United States
Loss 6–4 Josh Phillips TKO (punches) The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 5 May 15, 2010 4 3:51 Hankinson, North Dakota, United States
Loss 6–3 Eric Perez TKO (punches) Canadian Fighting Championship 3 November 13, 2009 2 4:20 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Loss 6–2 Alexis Vila KO (punch) PFC: Best of Both Worlds February 6, 2009 2 0:34 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 6–1 Danny Schroder TKO (corner stoppage) TCI: Fight Hunger October 17, 2008 2 2:07 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 5–1 Nate Hansen Submission (triangle choke) The Cage Inc.: Summer Slam 4 June 14, 2008 1 1:30 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 4–1 Nick Holbrook KO (punches) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 3 April 21, 2007 2 2:36 Brookings, South Dakota, United States
Win 3–1 Mitch Wisner TKO (punches) Fury Fights: Temple Fight Night 2 March 10, 2007 1 2:00 Brookings, South Dakota, United States
Win 2–1 Chuck Page KO (elbows) Fury Fights: Temple Fight Night 1 March 1, 2007 1 3:12 Brookings, South Dakota, United States
Win 1–1 Jess Fuhriman KO (punches) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 2 February 24, 2007 1 0:34 Brookings, South Dakota, United States
Loss 0–1 Austin Peterson Submission (rear-naked choke) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 1 December 2, 2006 2 0:58 Brookings, South Dakota, United States

[38]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ben Nguyen, known as "10", is a Vietnamese-American mixed martial artist who competed professionally in the flyweight division, primarily known for his tenure in the (UFC) from 2015 to 2018. Born on August 3, 1988, in , Nguyen began his professional MMA career in 2006 and went on to compile a record of 16 wins and 9 losses across various promotions, including 8 knockouts or TKOs, 5 submissions, and 3 decisions. His UFC run resulted in a 4–3 record, highlighted by a 49-second rear-naked choke submission victory over at UFC Fight Night 110 in 2017, which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. After departing the UFC, he competed in , where his last bout was a loss to via TKO at Rizin 15 in April 2019. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 65-inch reach and fighting out of a switch stance, Nguyen trained at Integrated MMA in , , where he resides as a Vietnamese-American of Midwest upbringing. Since his final professional fight, he has transitioned to coaching and remains inactive in competition as of 2025.

Early life

Childhood and education

Ben Nguyen was born on August 3, 1988, in , to Vietnamese-American parents who had immigrated to the following the . His family settled in the predominantly non-Asian community of , where Nguyen grew up navigating cultural differences as one of the few Vietnamese-American children in the area. This environment shaped his early years, with his parents emphasizing resilience and family values amid the challenges of integration. During his childhood, Nguyen faced at school, particularly in , due to his smaller stature and ethnic background, which instilled a desire for skills. These experiences, including physical confrontations from peers, motivated him to seek ways to protect himself, though he initially avoided confrontation. The contributed to a formative period of building inner strength, influencing his later interest in physical activities for personal empowerment. Nguyen attended local schools in Sioux Falls, completing his education at Washington High School, where he graduated before pursuing other opportunities. After graduating, he briefly studied manufacturing engineering at before leaving to pursue full-time. His schooling provided a standard American education amid a supportive yet modest family setting, with his parents working to provide stability in their new homeland. These early years in Sioux Falls laid the groundwork for Nguyen's development, fostering a sense of determination that would carry into his teenage transition toward training as a means of .

Introduction to martial arts

Ben Nguyen began his martial arts journey at the age of 12 in , after experiencing bullying in middle school, prompting his mother to enroll him in classes held in a local church basement. This initial training provided him with foundational striking skills and a means to build confidence, as his family, including his brother, offered encouragement during these early years. By age 18, Nguyen expanded his training into , transitioning from to incorporate and broader combat techniques while still based in . He entered his first non-professional MMA bout around this time, securing a victory through a well-timed strike that highlighted his developing abilities despite limited prior experience beyond . These early experiences, occurring before his debut in late 2006, helped solidify his passion and technical base, leading him to pursue more intensive training opportunities abroad. In 2012, at age 25, Nguyen made a pivotal decision to relocate temporarily to Phuket, , quitting his job as a computer to attend tryouts at the renowned & MMA Training Camp, where he successfully joined the professional fight team. This immersive environment allowed him to refine his skills full-time, blending with MMA under elite coaching. Following this period, around 2013, he moved to , , for advanced training at Integrated MMA, seeking greater competitive opportunities and a supportive network in the region.

Professional MMA career

Early career and regional promotions

Nguyen made his professional debut on December 2, 2006, at Fury Fights - Battle in Brookings 1 in , where he lost via submission (rear-naked choke) to Austin Peterson in the second round. Following this initial setback, he competed in various regional promotions across the , securing early victories primarily through knockouts and submissions, including a first-round TKO against Jess Fuhriman in February 2007 and a second-round KO over Nick Holbrook in April 2007. Nguyen faced a series of losses between 2009 and 2010, including knockouts against Alexis Vila and Eric Perez, but rebounded with consistent performances after relocating his training base to . In 2013, Nguyen captured the K-Oz Bantamweight Championship on July 27 at K-Oz Entertainment - Bragging Rights 6: Night of Titles, defeating Shantaram Maharaj via rear-naked choke submission in the third round. His momentum continued into 2014, culminating in a unanimous decision victory over Reece McLaren on October 11 at Nitro MMA 12 to claim the Nitro Championship after five rounds. These title wins highlighted his versatility, blending striking and grappling skills developed through training camps in and that emphasized an aggressive, forward-pressure style. By late 2014, Nguyen had built a six-fight winning streak, showcasing finishes in regional Australian circuits like K-Oz Entertainment and Nitro MMA. A defining moment in Nguyen's early career occurred on March 8, 2014, at Nitro MMA 11, when he knocked out Julian Wallace with punches just 25 seconds into the first round. The rapid finish, preceded by Wallace's provocative behavior during pre-fight interactions, resonated widely and propelled Nguyen's visibility. The official video of the knockout went viral, accumulating over 67 million views on and attracting attention from international promotions, including the . This bout exemplified Nguyen's knockout power, one of seven such wins in his pre-2015 record of 12 victories and 5 defeats, with three submissions and two decisions rounding out his early successes in promotions such as The Cage Inc. and Roshambo MMA.

Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure

Nguyen entered the (UFC) after a of his 25-second victory over Julian Wallace in a regional bout amassed over 67 million views as of November 2025, accelerating contract negotiations with the promotion. His UFC debut occurred on May 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt in , , where he faced Alptekin Özkılıç in the flyweight division and secured a first-round victory via punch at 4:59, marking an impressive start to his tenure. This win highlighted Nguyen's explosive striking power early in exchanges. Nguyen followed with a submission win over on November 15, 2015, at , tapping out his opponent with a rear-naked choke in the first round at 2:35, extending his UFC record to 2-0. However, he encountered his first setback on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker, suffering a second-round TKO loss to via elbows at 4:41 after a competitive striking battle. He rebounded with a victory against Geane Herrera on November 26, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson, outworking his opponent over three rounds to improve to 3-1 in the promotion. A career highlight came on June 10, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt, where Nguyen submitted seasoned contender with a rear-naked choke just 49 seconds into the first round, earning the Performance of the Night bonus for his dominant performance that included an early head kick to stun Elliott. This victory propelled him toward the upper echelons of the flyweight division, demonstrating his opportunistic grappling alongside aggressive striking. Nguyen's momentum stalled in 2018, beginning with a third-round submission loss to via rear-naked choke at 1:43 on February 11 at . His final UFC bout was a defeat to on December 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Tuivasa, after which he was released from the promotion on December 7. Over seven UFC appearances from to 2018, Nguyen compiled a 4-3 record, with one , two submissions, and one decision among his wins, underscoring his finishing prowess—three of four victories ended before the final bell—and contributions to the flyweight division through high-pressure, forward-moving fights that tested top grapplers. His tenure added competitive depth to the weight class, particularly via upsets like the Elliott submission, though back-to-back losses in led to his exit amid roster adjustments.

Rizin stint and post-UFC activities

Following his release from the UFC in December 2018, Nguyen signed with the Rizin Fighting Federation in January 2019. Nguyen made his promotional debut at Rizin 15 on April 21, 2019, in Yokohama, Japan, where he faced former UFC flyweight contender Kyoji Horiguchi in a bantamweight bout. The fight ended in a first-round technical knockout loss for Nguyen after 2:53, as Horiguchi overwhelmed him with punches. This marked Nguyen's only appearance in Rizin and his final professional fight to date. Since 2019, Nguyen has remained inactive as a competitor, with no announced but a clear transition to and roles in the . He co-founded Stryke MMA, a private gym in , , alongside April Adams, focusing on personalized MMA seminars and workshops. In January 2024, Nguyen took on the role of head MMA at Corporate Box Valley gym in , where he leads sessions and programs for aspiring fighters. He continues to share instructional content on under the handle @ben10mma, emphasizing techniques for , striking, and overall MMA development. Nguyen's professional career concluded with a record of 16 wins and 9 losses, primarily in the flyweight division, highlighted by his international experience across promotions in , the , and .

Personal life

Family background

Ben Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American mixed martial artist whose heritage reflects the immigrant experience of many Vietnamese families in the . His parents emigrated from in the early 1980s, fleeing the aftermath of the , and settled in , where Nguyen was born on August 3, 1988, as Nguyễn Ben. This background instilled in him a strong sense of , which he has often highlighted in discussions about representing Vietnamese pride in combat . Nguyen's family provided foundational support for his pursuit of . He has a younger brother, , who is also a professional mixed martial artist and former two-division titleholder. Growing up in a close-knit household, he credits the familial emphasis on resilience and discipline—values rooted in his parents' journey—for shaping his approach to training and competition. This shared encouragement extended to his early exposure to combat sports, fostering a lifelong commitment to the discipline. In his adult life, Nguyen's expanded through his to kickboxer April Adams. The couple met while training at in Phuket, Thailand, and wed in late 2015, coinciding with Nguyen's rising profile in the UFC. Their partnership blends personal life with synergy, as both continue to support each other's athletic endeavors from their base in , .

Residence and interests

Nguyen has resided in , , since relocating there in the early to access superior MMA training facilities and establish a stable base for his career. This Australian residence has played a key role in supporting his professional training at local gyms like Integrated MMA. Before committing fully to , Nguyen worked as a computer technician for Best Buy's , highlighting his early interest and expertise in and electronics repair. This background as a self-described "computer geek" underscores his non-fighting passions in tech-related pursuits. Nguyen actively engages with fans and shares glimpses of his personal life through social media profiles on and , including updates on daily activities and motivational content.

Championships and accomplishments

Professional titles

Ben Nguyen defeated Shantaram Maharaj via rear-naked choke submission in the third round at Bragging Rights 6: Night of Titles in , , on July 27, 2013. He held a regional title concurrently with another Australian promotion's belt, establishing his dominance in the regional division during the mid-2010s. No defenses of the K-Oz title are recorded, as Nguyen shifted focus to other opportunities. Nguyen won the Nitro MMA Championship on March 8, 2014, knocking out Julian Wallace with punches just 25 seconds into the first round at Nitro MMA 11 in , . He defended the title successfully on October 11, 2014, against Reece at Nitro MMA 12, securing a victory after five rounds. This reign, spanning about seven months, highlighted his striking power and endurance in Australian promotions around 2010–2014. These accomplishments solidified Nguyen's status as a top prospect in 's MMA landscape, contributing to a winning streak that paved the way for his entry into the , where he later transitioned to the flyweight division.

Notable achievements and records

Ben Nguyen gained significant recognition early in his career through a viral video from his March 8, 2014, fight against Julian Wallace at Nitro MMA 11 in , , where he secured a 25-second that amassed over 67 million views on , ultimately leading to his UFC contract. One of his standout accomplishments came at UFC Fight Night 110 on June 10, 2017, when he submitted via rear-naked choke in just 49 seconds, earning the Performance of the Night bonus. Throughout his professional record of 16 wins and 9 losses, Nguyen demonstrated a balanced finishing ability, with 50% of his victories (8 out of 16) coming by or TKO and 31% (5 wins) by submission, highlighting his versatility in the flyweight division. His 49-second submission of Elliott also stands as his shortest UFC win and one of the fastest in flyweight history.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional fight statistics

Ben Nguyen has competed in 25 professional bouts, compiling a record of 16 wins and 9 losses with no draws or no contests as of 2025. His career reflects a balanced offensive approach, particularly in the flyweight division where he has primarily fought at 125 pounds. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 65-inch reach, Nguyen's physical attributes have suited the fast-paced nature of the weight class. Nguyen's victories demonstrate versatility in finishing fights, with 8 knockouts or technical knockouts accounting for 50% of his wins, 5 submissions representing 31%, and 3 decisions making up the remaining 19%. In contrast, his losses highlight vulnerabilities to striking and , including 6 by knockout or technical knockout (67%), 2 by submission (22%), and 1 by decision (11%). These breakdowns underscore his aggressive style, which has led to relatively short engagements; his average fight time in UFC bouts, where he recorded 4 wins and 3 losses, stands at approximately 8 minutes and 12 seconds. Throughout his career, Nguyen experienced notable streaks that marked key phases of his progression. Following an early debut loss in 2006, he embarked on an initial win streak that built his regional reputation. In the , he started with a 2-0 record, showcasing quick finishes against established opponents. However, his tenure concluded with a three-fight losing streak from 2018 to 2019, after which he has remained inactive, impacting his overall activity totals.
StatisticWinsLosses
KO/TKO8 (50%)6 (67%)
Submission5 (31%)2 (22%)
Decision3 (19%)1 (11%)
Total169

Key fight outcomes

Ben Nguyen's professional MMA career included several pivotal bouts that showcased his aggressive style, rapid finishes, and transitions between promotions. Notable among these was his professional debut loss by submission in , which set the stage for early development, followed by a string of knockouts that built his reputation in regional Australian and American circuits. His viral of Julian Wallace in 2014, stemming from heated pre-fight antics, propelled him toward international attention and earned him the Nitro MMA flyweight title in a subsequent decision win over Reece . Nguyen's UFC tenure began with a dramatic on debut, highlighted further by his quickest Octagon victory via submission against in 2017, though it concluded with losses in high-profile matchups, including his final professional bout against in Rizin. These encounters reflect a career marked by explosive performances, with Nguyen securing 81% of his overall wins by or submission. The table below summarizes outcomes from 10 key fights spanning his career phases:
OpponentDateEventResultMethodRoundTime
Austin PetersonDec 02, 2006Fury Fights - Battle in Brookings 1LossSubmission (RNC)20:58
Nick HolbrookApr 21, 2007Fury Fights - Battle in Brookings 3WinKO (Punches)22:36
Alexis VilaFeb 06, 2009PFC - Best of Both WorldsLossKO (Punch)20:34
Julian WallaceMar 08, 2014Nitro MMA - Nitro 11WinKO (Punches)10:25
Reece McLarenOct 11, 2014Nitro MMA - Nitro 12WinDecision (Unanimous)55:00
Alptekin OzkilicMay 10, 2015UFC Fight Night 65 - Miocic vs. HuntWinKO (Punches)14:59
Ryan BenoitNov 14, 2015UFC 193 - Rousey vs. HolmWinSubmission (RNC)12:35
Tim ElliottJun 10, 2017UFC Fight Night 110 - Hunt vs. LewisWinSubmission (RNC)10:49
Jussier FormigaFeb 10, 2018UFC 221 - Romero vs. RockholdLossTechnical Submission (RNC)31:43
Kyoji HoriguchiApr 21, 2019Rizin FF - Rizin 15LossKO (Punches)12:53

References

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