Ben Nguyen

MMA career Early career 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. 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.

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

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

Nguyen was expected to face Justin Scoggins on March 20, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 85. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Personal life Nguyen's hometown is Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nguyen said that he started Taekwondo when he was twelve years old after he was bullied in school. 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. In a 2015 video, Nguyen said that he owns two cats which were both about a year old. Nguyen said that he likes cars and motorcycles.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Tim Elliott UFC.com Awards 2015: Ranked #10 Newcomer of the Year Nitro MMA Nitro MMA Bantamweight Champion (One Time) One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Kyoji Horiguchi KO (punches) Rizin 15

Yokohama, Japan Loss

Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa

Adelaide, Australia Loss

Jussier Formiga Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 221

Perth, Australia Win

Tim Elliott Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt

Auckland, New Zealand Win

Geane Herrera Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson

Melbourne, Australia Loss

Louis Smolka TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win

Ryan Benoit Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 193

Melbourne, Australia Win

Alp Ozkilic TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt

Adelaide, Australia Win

Reece McLaren Decision (unanimous) Nitro MMA 12

Logan City, Australia Win

Julian Wallace KO (punch) Nitro MMA 11

Logan City, Australia Win

Shantaram Maharaj Submission (rear-naked choke) K-Oz Entertainment – Bragging Rights 6: Night of Titles

Madeley, Australia Win

Luke Morris Decision (unanimous) K.O. Martial Arts: Adrenalin-Unleashed

Eatons Hill, Australia Win

Kian Pham TKO (punches) Australia Regional

Brisbane, Australia Win

Greg Penaloza TKO (doctor stoppage) Roshambo MMA 1: In the Cage

Brisbane, Australia Win

Andrew Whitney Submission (armbar) The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 9

Hankinson, North Dakota, United States Loss

Chavalit Sityodtong TKO (punches) Martial Combat 7

Sentosa, Singapore Win

Laramie Shaffer TKO (doctor stoppage) OFC: Battle at Huset's Speedway

Brandon, South Dakota, United States Loss

Josh Phillips TKO (punches) The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 5

Hankinson, North Dakota, United States Loss

Eric Perez TKO (punches) Canadian Fighting Championship 3

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss

Alexis Vila KO (punch) PFC: Best of Both Worlds

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Danny Schroder TKO (corner stoppage) TCI: Fight Hunger

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win

Nate Hansen Submission (triangle choke) The Cage Inc.: Summer Slam 4

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win

Nick Holbrook KO (punches) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 3

Brookings, South Dakota, United States Win

Mitch Wisner TKO (punches) Fury Fights: Temple Fight Night 2

Brookings, South Dakota, United States Win

Chuck Page KO (elbows) Fury Fights: Temple Fight Night 1

Brookings, South Dakota, United States Win

Jess Fuhriman KO (punches) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 2

Brookings, South Dakota, United States Loss

Austin Peterson Submission (rear-naked choke) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 1

Brookings, South Dakota, United States