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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
[edit]Early career
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Tim Elliott
- UFC.com Awards
- Nitro MMA
- Nitro MMA Bantamweight Champion (One Time)
- One successful title defense
Mixed martial arts record
[edit]| 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 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Ben Nguyen - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
- ^ Ben 10 Nguyen [@Ben10MMA] (June 29, 2016). "Caught by surprise tonight with a belt promotion to brow belt! @ufc #bjj #mma #UFCSiouxFalls" (Tweet). Retrieved December 4, 2016 – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Nitro MMA’s Ben Nguyen: Everything Down to a Science, combatpress, October 8, 2014
- ^ Bantamweight – Ben Nguyen Archived November 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, k-ozentertainment
- ^ Goyder, James (June 4, 2015). "How a Video Going Viral Helped Launch the UFC Career of Ben Nguyen | FIGHTLAND". Fightland.vice.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ "Ben Nguyen: Not Your Typical UFC Debut Story - Ultimate Fighting Championship-Mobile". UFC. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ "Ben Nguyen will fight in his home town at UFC Brisbane next month". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Nguyen, Michael D. (July 22, 2015). "Baby-Faced Brawler: Ben Nguyen Scores UFC Contract After Viral Knockout". NBC News. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Cepeda, Elias (November 17, 2015). "Ben Nguyen hopes UFC success helps him become more than 'internet famous'". FOX Sports. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ^ Staff (April 1, 2015). "Australian based fighter Ben Nguyen signs with UFC, slated to meet Alptekin Ozkilic at UFC Adelaide". fightnewsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ^ Brent Brookhouse (May 9, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 65 results: Ben Nguyen stops Alptekin Ozkilic with one second left in first". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
- ^ Staff (September 3, 2015). "UFC 193 adds Ryan Benoit vs. Ben Nguyen". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ Matt Erickson (November 15, 2015). "UFC 193 results: Ben Nguyen takes out Ryan Benoit with ease with first-round choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ Emma Challands (February 11, 2016). "UFC Brisbane: Ben Nguyen vs Justin Scoggins and added to Fight Night 85 card". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
- ^ Staff (March 12, 2016). "Nguyen vs. Scoggins scrapped, Laprise now meets Pearson in UFC Fight Night 85 shuffle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- ^ Staff (April 21, 2016). "Ben Nguyen vs. Louis Smolka added to UFC Fight Night 91". themmareport.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (July 13, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Louis Smolka takes out hometown fan favorite Ben Nguyen in second". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ FNA Staff (October 12, 2016). "UFC Melbourne: Ben Nguyen faces Geane Herrera". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (November 27, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 101 results: Ben Nguyen cruises past Geane Herrera for easy unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (March 23, 2017). "Joseph Benavidez to face Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night 110 in New Zealand". sherdog.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
- ^ Damon Martin (May 10, 2017). "Tim Elliott replaces Joseph Benavidez, faces Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night in New Zealand". foxsports.com. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (June 10, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 110 results: Ben Nguyen dismantles Tim Elliott, chokes him out inside 1 minute". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
- ^ Staff (June 10, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 110 bonuses: Finishes by Ben Nguyen, Dan Hooker earn them $50K". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
- ^ "UFC locks in first bouts for Perth event". The West Australian. November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ Matt Erickson (August 11, 2017). "UFC 221 results: Jussier Formiga chokes out Ben Nguyen after spinning backfist". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ Marcel Dorff (August 11, 2018). "Wilson Reis meets Ben Nguyen during UFC Adelaide in Flyweight clash" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 142 Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (December 7, 2018). "Ben Nguyen announces UFC release". mmafighting.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ "【アーカイブ動画】1.31『RIZIN.15』記者会見 - RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION(ライジン オフィシャルサイト)". jp.rizinff.com (in Japanese). Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ Riggs, Drake (January 30, 2019). "RIZIN 15 gets Kyoji Horiguchi vs Ben Nguyen and inaugural light heavyweight title bout". bjpenn.com. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^ Cunningham, Cillian (April 21, 2019). "Kyoji Horiguchi Continues Blistering RIZIN Run With First-Round TKO". punditarena.com. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^ In a video titled, "Ben Nguyen anxious to fight again in Sioux Falls after eight years away from home", which was published to YouTube on July 11, 2016, someone off camera asked Nguyen, "Give us an idea of what it's like. This is a fight you wanted. You got it, so how's it feel to be here now?". Nguyen said, "It's, it's like living a dream almost, like I woulda never have thought UFC woulda came to my hometown of Sioux Falls, but, um, yeah, I just can't, it kinda came full circle for me. Um, when I started my journey, and I uh went to Tiger Muay Thai, in Thailand, uh to train, and get a little bit of extra knowledge, um, you know. I lived in Australia for a bit, now I'm back here in Sioux Falls, my hometown, so it's, for the UFC, so that's even, like, I can't even put words to describe it. It's just, it's just surreal. It's like a dream." A person off camera asked Nguyen, "Are, are you living here again?" Nguyen responded, "No, I'm not living here permanently right now, but um, no I always come back every, uh, every year to visit my mom and dad, and uh, my whole family's out here, so, it's good." The first question by the person off camera starts at the beginning of the video, and the first question ends at the 0:05 mark of the video. Nguyen's first response starts at the 0:05 mark of the video, and his first response ends at the 0:37 mark of the video. The second question by the person off camera starts at the 0:36 mark of the video, and that question ends at the 0:38 mark of the video. Nguyen's second response starts at the 0:38 mark of the video, and Nguyen's second response ends at the 0:51 mark of the video.
- ^ Nguyen talks about himself in a video that was published to YouTube on April 3, 2013. From the 6:43 mark of the video to the 6:52 mark of the video, Nguyen said, "Taekwondo, I started when I was twelve, after uh I got bullied in school. My mom threw me into martial arts."
- ^ UFC Fight Night 65: Miocic v Hunt: Queensland well represented on Adelaide card, smh.com.au, May 7, 2015
- ^ In a video that was published to YouTube on December 2, 2015, Nguyen said that he owns two cats. From the 2:13 mark of the video to the 2:25 mark of the video, Nguyen said, "So, I've got two cats. Uh, they're about a year old. Their names uh Tofu and Yuki, and uh I take good care of them, and play with them throughout the day. They kinda keep me sane, you know, just cutting weight and stuff."
- ^ Nguyen talked about himself in a video that was published to YouTube on December 2, 2015. From the 2:25 mark of the video to the 2:38 mark of the video, Nguyen said, "I really like, cars and motorcycles. I just love riding, just love the, the freedom of just, not being enclosed in a, a steel cage, and, even though like I fight one sometimes. Ha! Ha!"
- ^ Gerbasi, Thomas (December 21, 2015). "Ten Best – The Newcomers of 2015". UFC.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Ben". Sherdog. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
External links
[edit]Ben Nguyen
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and education
Ben Nguyen was born on August 3, 1988, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Vietnamese-American parents who had immigrated to the United States following the Vietnam War.[3] His family settled in the predominantly non-Asian community of Sioux Falls, where Nguyen grew up navigating cultural differences as one of the few Vietnamese-American children in the area.[7] This environment shaped his early years, with his parents emphasizing resilience and family values amid the challenges of integration.[8] During his childhood, Nguyen faced bullying at school, particularly in middle school, due to his smaller stature and ethnic background, which instilled a desire for self-defense skills.[8][9] These experiences, including physical confrontations from peers, motivated him to seek ways to protect himself, though he initially avoided confrontation.[10] The bullying contributed to a formative period of building inner strength, influencing his later interest in physical activities for personal empowerment.[8] Nguyen attended local schools in Sioux Falls, completing his education at Washington High School, where he graduated before pursuing other opportunities.[11] After graduating, he briefly studied manufacturing engineering at South Dakota State University before leaving to pursue martial arts full-time.[12][13] 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 martial arts training as a means of self-defense.[9]Introduction to martial arts
Ben Nguyen began his martial arts journey at the age of 12 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after experiencing bullying in middle school, prompting his mother to enroll him in Taekwondo classes held in a local church basement.[9][7] 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.[8] By age 18, Nguyen expanded his training into mixed martial arts, transitioning from Taekwondo to incorporate grappling and broader combat techniques while still based in South Dakota. 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 Taekwondo. These early amateur experiences, occurring before his professional debut in late 2006, helped solidify his passion and technical base, leading him to pursue more intensive training opportunities abroad.[13][12] In 2012, at age 25, Nguyen made a pivotal decision to relocate temporarily to Phuket, Thailand, quitting his job as a computer technician to attend tryouts at the renowned Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp, where he successfully joined the professional fight team. This immersive environment allowed him to refine his skills full-time, blending Muay Thai with MMA under elite coaching. Following this period, around 2013, he moved to Brisbane, Australia, for advanced training at Integrated MMA, seeking greater competitive opportunities and a supportive network in the Asia-Pacific region.[14][15]Professional MMA career
Early career and regional promotions
Nguyen made his professional mixed martial arts debut on December 2, 2006, at Fury Fights - Battle in Brookings 1 in South Dakota, 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 United States, 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 Australia.[3] 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 Bantamweight Championship after five rounds. These title wins highlighted his versatility, blending striking and grappling skills developed through training camps in Thailand and Australia 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.[3][14] 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 YouTube and attracting attention from international promotions, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship. 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.[3][16]Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure
Nguyen entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after a viral video of his 25-second knockout victory over Julian Wallace in a regional bout amassed over 67 million YouTube views as of November 2025, accelerating contract negotiations with the promotion.[14][16] His UFC debut occurred on May 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt in Adelaide, Australia, where he faced Alptekin Özkılıç in the flyweight division and secured a first-round knockout victory via punch at 4:59, marking an impressive start to his Octagon tenure.[4] This win highlighted Nguyen's explosive striking power early in exchanges.[14] Nguyen followed with a submission win over Ryan Benoit on November 15, 2015, at UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm, tapping out his opponent with a rear-naked choke in the first round at 2:35, extending his UFC record to 2-0.[4] However, he encountered his first setback on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker, suffering a second-round TKO loss to Louis Smolka via elbows at 4:41 after a competitive striking battle.[4] He rebounded with a unanimous decision 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.[4] A career highlight came on June 10, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt, where Nguyen submitted seasoned contender Tim Elliott 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.[4][17] This victory propelled him toward the upper echelons of the flyweight division, demonstrating his opportunistic grappling alongside aggressive striking.[18] Nguyen's momentum stalled in 2018, beginning with a third-round submission loss to Jussier Formiga via rear-naked choke at 1:43 on February 11 at UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold.[4] His final UFC bout was a unanimous decision defeat to Wilson Reis on December 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Tuivasa, after which he was released from the promotion on December 7.[4][19] Over seven UFC appearances from 2015 to 2018, Nguyen compiled a 4-3 record, with one knockout, 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.[4] His tenure added competitive depth to the weight class, particularly via upsets like the Elliott submission, though back-to-back losses in 2018 led to his exit amid roster adjustments.[19]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.[19][20] 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.[3] The fight ended in a first-round technical knockout loss for Nguyen after 2:53, as Horiguchi overwhelmed him with punches.[21] This marked Nguyen's only appearance in Rizin and his final professional fight to date.[6] Since 2019, Nguyen has remained inactive as a competitor, with no announced retirement but a clear transition to coaching and training roles in the MMA community.[6] He co-founded Stryke MMA, a private coaching gym in Brisbane, Australia, alongside April Adams, focusing on personalized MMA seminars and workshops.[22] In January 2024, Nguyen took on the role of head MMA coach at Corporate Box Valley gym in Brisbane, where he leads training sessions and programs for aspiring fighters.[23] He continues to share instructional content on Instagram under the handle @ben10mma, emphasizing techniques for grappling, striking, and overall MMA development.[24] 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 Australia, the United States, and Japan.[6]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 United States. His parents emigrated from Vietnam in the early 1980s, fleeing the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Nguyen was born on August 3, 1988, as Nguyễn Ben. This background instilled in him a strong sense of cultural identity, which he has often highlighted in discussions about representing Vietnamese pride in combat sports.[8][1] Nguyen's family provided foundational support for his pursuit of martial arts. He has a younger brother, Martin Nguyen, who is also a professional mixed martial artist and former two-division ONE Championship 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.[7][25] In his adult life, Nguyen's immediate family expanded through his marriage to professional kickboxer April Adams. The couple met while training at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, and wed in late 2015, coinciding with Nguyen's rising profile in the UFC. Their partnership blends personal life with professional synergy, as both continue to support each other's athletic endeavors from their base in Brisbane, Australia.[26][12][27]Residence and interests
Nguyen has resided in Brisbane, Australia, since relocating there in the early 2010s to access superior MMA training facilities and establish a stable base for his career.[14][15] This Australian residence has played a key role in supporting his professional training at local gyms like Integrated MMA.[2] Before committing fully to mixed martial arts, Nguyen worked as a computer technician for Best Buy's Geek Squad, highlighting his early interest and expertise in technology and electronics repair.[8][13] This background as a self-described "computer geek" underscores his non-fighting passions in tech-related pursuits.[13] Nguyen actively engages with fans and shares glimpses of his personal life through social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram, including updates on daily activities and motivational content.[19][28]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 Melbourne, Australia, on July 27, 2013. He held a regional bantamweight title concurrently with another Australian promotion's belt, establishing his dominance in the regional bantamweight 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 Bantamweight Championship on March 8, 2014, knocking out Julian Wallace with punches just 25 seconds into the first round at Nitro MMA 11 in Logan City, Queensland.[29] He defended the title successfully on October 11, 2014, against Reece McLaren at Nitro MMA 12, securing a unanimous decision victory after five rounds.[3] This reign, spanning about seven months, highlighted his striking power and endurance in Australian promotions around 2010–2014.[30] These bantamweight accomplishments solidified Nguyen's status as a top prospect in Australia's MMA landscape, contributing to a winning streak that paved the way for his entry into the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he later transitioned to the flyweight division.Notable achievements and records
Ben Nguyen gained significant recognition early in his career through a viral knockout video from his March 8, 2014, fight against Julian Wallace at Nitro MMA 11 in Brisbane, Australia, where he secured a 25-second knockout that amassed over 67 million views on YouTube, ultimately leading to his UFC contract.[16][8] One of his standout accomplishments came at UFC Fight Night 110 on June 10, 2017, when he submitted Tim Elliott via rear-naked choke in just 49 seconds, earning the Performance of the Night bonus.[31][32] 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 knockout or TKO and 31% (5 wins) by submission, highlighting his versatility in the flyweight division.[6] 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 mixed martial arts bouts, compiling a record of 16 wins and 9 losses with no draws or no contests as of November 2025.[3][6] 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.[4][3] 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%.[3] In contrast, his losses highlight vulnerabilities to striking and grappling, including 6 by knockout or technical knockout (67%), 2 by submission (22%), and 1 by decision (11%).[3] 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.[4] 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.[3] In the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he started with a 2-0 record, showcasing quick finishes against established opponents.[2] 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.[6][3]| Statistic | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| KO/TKO | 8 (50%) | 6 (67%) |
| Submission | 5 (31%) | 2 (22%) |
| Decision | 3 (19%) | 1 (11%) |
| Total | 16 | 9 |
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 2006, 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 knockout 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 McLaren.[33][3] Nguyen's UFC tenure began with a dramatic knockout on debut, highlighted further by his quickest Octagon victory via submission against Tim Elliott in 2017, though it concluded with losses in high-profile matchups, including his final professional bout against Kyoji Horiguchi in Rizin. These encounters reflect a career marked by explosive performances, with Nguyen securing 81% of his overall wins by knockout or submission.[3] The table below summarizes outcomes from 10 key fights spanning his career phases:| Opponent | Date | Event | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peterson | Dec 02, 2006 | Fury Fights - Battle in Brookings 1 | Loss | Submission (RNC) | 2 | 0:58 |
| Nick Holbrook | Apr 21, 2007 | Fury Fights - Battle in Brookings 3 | Win | KO (Punches) | 2 | 2:36 |
| Alexis Vila | Feb 06, 2009 | PFC - Best of Both Worlds | Loss | KO (Punch) | 2 | 0:34 |
| Julian Wallace | Mar 08, 2014 | Nitro MMA - Nitro 11 | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 | 0:25 |
| Reece McLaren | Oct 11, 2014 | Nitro MMA - Nitro 12 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Alptekin Ozkilic | May 10, 2015 | UFC Fight Night 65 - Miocic vs. Hunt | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 | 4:59 |
| Ryan Benoit | Nov 14, 2015 | UFC 193 - Rousey vs. Holm | Win | Submission (RNC) | 1 | 2:35 |
| Tim Elliott | Jun 10, 2017 | UFC Fight Night 110 - Hunt vs. Lewis | Win | Submission (RNC) | 1 | 0:49 |
| Jussier Formiga | Feb 10, 2018 | UFC 221 - Romero vs. Rockhold | Loss | Technical Submission (RNC) | 3 | 1:43 |
| Kyoji Horiguchi | Apr 21, 2019 | Rizin FF - Rizin 15 | Loss | KO (Punches) | 1 | 2:53 |
