John Nguyen is fighting to win at Unified 55 in Toronto

Dec 19, 2023

TORONTO – John “The Dragon” Nguyen is known across Canada for his elite striking. 

That’s not a coincidence, Nguyen says, but the Calgary product prides himself on being a well-rounded fighter.

“I’ve always tried to take elements from other martial artists’ styles and have tried to make it my own – and that’s how my striking has developed,” Nguyen says.

“But I train my grappling just as much as I train my striking. A lot of people say my striking is the strongest part of my game, but I’ve also always taken my grappling training very seriously too.”

Nguyen is 6-3 on the strength of back-to-back, stoppage victories. He earned the Unified MMA Canadian Featherweight Championship with a first-round KO over Maged Hammo at Unified 52 in his hometown of Calgary. Now he’s ready to defend his belt for the first time against Contender Series vet Mateo Vogel (8-3) at Unified 55 on Jan. 19 at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass.

If Nguyen can notch a third straight decisive victory in January, it’s foreseeable he’ll sign with the UFC, or his next bout will be on Contender Series in Las Vegas in front of UFC boss Dana White. The stakes are high, but Nguyen is ready to rise to the occasion.

“This fight could go many ways, but one thing is for sure – I’m coming to fight,” he says. “I’m coming to fight, and I’m coming to win.”

ABOUT UNIFIED MMA

Unified MMA is Canada’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, showcasing the country’s top-ranked fighters, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. The organization has successfully promoted 54 events across Canada since it was founded in 2009, and has propelled several athletes to the UFC’s Octagon.