UFC
Steven Nguyen of Wichita, Kansas, broke a UFC record on Saturday afternoon. Back in 2023, Nguyen made the UFC roster after impressing UFC CEO Dana White on the Contender Series.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment,” Nguyen said after being signed to the UFC. “It’s surreal. The emotions are still hitting me now. I’ve worked my (butt) off to get to this opportunity and I’m ready. This is just the beginning and I’m ready for more and I’m only going to get better from here.”
Steven Nguyen gives Wichita a shoutout in his ESPN interview after being awarded a contract to the UFC. @Steven_Win also said he takes great pride in being the only Vietnamese fighter in the organization. A dream fulfilled, but as he said, “this is only the beginning.” pic.twitter.com/xwLl1mKyh2
— Taylor Eldridge (@tayloreldridge) September 13, 2023
During Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi card, Nguyen broke a UFC record for most knockdowns in a fight with six knockdowns against opponent Mohammad Yahya.
OFFICIAL: Steven Nguyen sets the record for most knockdowns landed in a single UFC fight with SIX vs. Mohammad Yahya.
Last person to land five knockdowns in a UFC fight was Jeremy Stephens against Gilbert Melendez in September 2017, and most of those were from leg kicks. pic.twitter.com/GHA78XQjeo
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 26, 2025
Yahya felt the effects of the knockdowns on his face, which is busted up pretty badly, which led to the doctor stopping the fight.
STEVEN NGUYEN GETS THE WIN BY DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE AFTER SETTING A UFC RECORD SIX KNOCKDOWNS AT #UFCABUDHABI 💥 pic.twitter.com/i8DPfrvLYa
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 26, 2025
Nguyen wins via Doctor stoppage after Yahya sustains a small cut under his eye. pic.twitter.com/f7qZ2w9mRN
— MMA_Stupid (@stupid_mma) July 26, 2025