Steven Nguyen Makes History, Becomes First UFC Fighter To…
Steven "The Ninja" Nguyen broke the UFC single-fight knockdown record, defeating Mohammad Yahya by TKO at UFC Fight Night.
In a performance that will be replayed for years to come, Steven 'The Ninja" Nguyen unleashed a barrage of strikes so ferocious that he shattered the UFC's single-fight knockdown record in front of an electric Abu Dhabi crowd.
Over two rounds of non-stop action, Nguyen dropped hometown hopeful Mohammad Yahya six times before a ringside doctor waved off the contest on medical grounds, earning a spectacular TKO victory at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder.
From the moment the featherweights touched gloves, Nguyen signalled he was hunting for a finish. Yahya—making his UFC featherweight debut following a move down from lightweight—charged in aggressively, only to be caught flush by Nguyen's pinpoint left hand and sent crashing to the canvas just ten seconds into the opening bell.
Rather than let up, Nguyen swarmed, rifling crisp combinations that blitzed Yahya back to his stool time and again. By the end of Round 1, Nguyen had already logged five knockdowns, a display of power and precision that left the arena buzzing and his opponent's face swelling ominously on the left side.
Round 2 opened with a glimmer of hope for Yahya—he landed a thunderous right that briefly buckled Nguyen's knees. The moment lingered, but Nguyen shook it off like a true warrior, responding immediately with a crushing follow-up that floored Yahya for the sixth
Even with blood trickling from a growing hematoma under his eye, Yahya refused to stay down, firing back with heart before weathering one final Nguyen onslaught as the seconds ticked away.
Between rounds, ringside physicians examined Yahya's battered orbital and concerned by the extent of the swelling and risk to vision, prudently halted the bout before Round 3 commenced. Thus concluded a savage showcase that not only marked Nguyen's first UFC victory but also earned him a well-deserved Performance of the Night bonus—adding $50,000 to his payday alongside his burgeoning legend.
A former Dana White's Contender Series standout, Nguyen arrived in Abu Dhabi armed with world-class boxing, an unyielding gas tank and an unshakeable confidence forged through adversity.
His dismantling of Yahya wasn't just about raw power; it was a masterclass in timing, footwork, and opportunistic striking, as he baited his foe into rushing and capitalised with counter-punch precision that seemed almost choreographed.
Yahya, to his credit, showcased a warrior's resilience. Despite absorbing more knockdowns than any UFC fighter in history, he rose with grit each time, igniting cheers as fans admired his toughness even amid the onslaught.
As cameras flashed and Nguyen celebrated with his team, plans are afoot for his next assignment. Will he challenge a ranked featherweight or test himself against a top contender hungry for redemption? One thing is certain: Steven Nguyen has arrived with a vengeance, and fight fans worldwide will be clamouring to see where 'The Ninja" strikes next.
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