Steven Nguyen (9-1) featherweight fighter has finally clinched his coveted UFC contract, marking the end of a long and arduous journey that saw him make three appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series. Nguyen’s relentless pursuit culminated in a TKO victory over A.J. Cunningham on Tuesday.
Speaking to media outlets, including Cageside Press, after the fight, Nguyen shared his thoughts on the challenging road he’s traveled. “The contract aspect, it’s been a very long road for me. I think it’s been four years since my first Contender Series fight. I just had to keep going. That was the main thing,” Nguyen said. “I knew there was a lot of pressure coming into this fight. I had to finish this fight, it was my third time around. So I went in there with that mindset, kill or be killed.”
The fight itself was nothing short of thrilling, featuring a near finish at the end of the first round. While the initial game plan was to stick and move, Nguyen confessed that he had a sudden change in strategy during the match. “I don’t know what it was, I just said ‘I’m going to bite down on my mouthpiece right now and I’m going to throw, and we’re going to see who stands and who falls.'”
In the end, it was A.J. Cunningham who fell, and Nguyen secured his well-deserved UFC contract. Reflecting on his previous setbacks, including two rejections from DWCS, even after winning one fight, Nguyen admitted, “I was in a dark, dark space for a little bit. I didn’t really know where to go at that point. But I have the best coach, I have the best manager, Jason House, coach Sayif Saud. My family, my girlfriend, and everybody that has supported me just told me, ‘Just keep going.’ Because of them, I’m where we’re at now, and here I am talking to you.”
For his third Contender Series fight, Nguyen opted for a different approach, declining all interviews leading up to the bout. “I knew I just had to dig deep down, not just because of having a tough opponent, but for myself, knowing that this is possibly going to be my last chance of going to the UFC because it’s my third time,” he added. “So I just had to dig deep in there tonight.”
As Steven Nguyen’s triumphant journey reaches its pinnacle with the acquisition of his UFC contract, fight fans around the world can’t help but anticipate the exciting clashes and fierce matchups that lie ahead. With a heart of determination and the taste of victory fresh on his lips, Nguyen’s story serves as a reminder that perseverance and unwavering dedication can turn the darkest of moments into the brightest of spotlights. As he steps into the octagon, all eyes will be on this rising star, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in what promises to be an electrifying career in the world of mixed martial arts.
