ONE Championship atomweight Bi Nguyen opened her career undefeated and thought she knew exactly where she was going – only to find out she absolutely didn’t.
“You plan it out,” Nguyen told MMA Junkie. “I went 4-0 in the beginning of my career, and you plan it out – you say, ‘I’m going to go undefeated. I’m going to fight here in this circuit, then I’m get over here and get to the UFC’ or wherever. But for me, I’ve learned that I’ve expected that and planned that, and it failed, and it really broke me. Now, this second act of my career, I’m just enjoying being here and fighting good freaking fights and challenging myself.”
After the fast start to her career, Nguyen struggled while competing for U.S. regional stalwart King of the Cage. She did make her way to a title fight, but her performance wasn’t one she’s proud to remember.
“It was the worst fight I’ve ever had in my career,” Nguyen said. “The weight cut was getting to me, and I had a terrible fight. I was actually contemplating not fighting anymore, like actual retirement.”
Released from her deal, Nguyen wasn’t sure what would come next. However, ONE Championship was keen on giving the Texas-based fighter with Vietnamese roots a chance to shine under their banner.
Nguyen admits she was a little concerned at signing with a promotion so far away but said she certainly hasn’t regretted the experience thus far.
“It’s a whole ‘nother world, something new and scary, but I love it now,” Nguyen said.
On Friday, Nguyen (5-4) takes on Stamp Fairtex (2-0) at “ONE Championship 102: Masters of Fate,” which streams live on B/R Live from Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
Thailand’s Fairtex already holds ONE titles in kickboxing and muay Thai, and she’s looking to work her way up the MMA ranks, as well. Nguyen said she was thrilled with the matchup, even if it looks like perhaps she’s being brought in as simply an opponent.
“I was happy, and I couldn’t believe they were giving it to me,” Nguyen said of the matchup. “Whether they’re underestimating me in this fight and they want her to win or they just really, truly, fairly want to challenge her in the MMA world, either way, I’m a happy camper.
“She’s new to MMA. Yes, she’s a standup monster, but it’s MMA. I’m American, and I know MMA well, and there’s plenty of ways I can exploit her strengths and make it her weakness, so when I got the call, I was like, ‘Damn, I’m so happy to be getting her now.’”
Nguyen has already banked three ONE appearances thus far, including one muay Thai bout. But she thinks she may have been able to keep an ace up her sleeve by focusing largely on striking up to this point.
Against a polished Thai fighter like Fairtex, Nguyen thinks a measured approach might be best.
“The last three fights in ONE, I’ve just been showing my striking – all striking – so maybe they thought they were giving her a striker,” Nguyen said. “I’m not quite sure.They’ve been so good to me, and they promote me really well, I truly think that ONE is just happy whoever wins. They just want to see what happens.
“I like to challenge myself, and I like seeing how much better I can get. That’s kind of the high I get. For me, I’ve proven that I’m tough. I’ve banged it out with the best, and my ego does get in the way only because I enjoy striking, and I enjoy banging it out, so this fight is a chance for me to show that I’m a disciplined and smart fighter, as well – that I have evolved into a smart fighter that sticks to the gameplan. If I get caught up in a brawl with her, this is the one girl not to do it with. I think that I’m way ahead of her on the ground, and on standup, I’m game. But let’s be smart, Bi. Let’s take the higher percentage win, and let’s take her down.”
A win here would certainly prove the biggest of Nguyen’s career to date. She’s not overthinking the importance of the clash, but Nguyen knows wha’s on the line.
“Fighters fight,” Nguyen said. “I’m fighting anytime, anyone, anyplace, and that’s really where I’m at right now.”
Bi Nguyen enjoying 'second act' of MMA career, won't let ego affect approach
