From Jitters to Glory: Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen’s Rise to ONE Champion
When Martin Nguyen stepped into the ONE Hall of Fame, he didn’t have the swagger of a two‑weight legend—he had the sheer, throbbing anxiety that can trip up any rookie. The Vietnamese‑Australian, now a two‑weight world champion, had to wrestle his nerves before he could write history.
First Fight Blues
- Grand stage jitters: “It was my first big fight in ONE, in a sold‑out Singapore stadium, and I was scared. I’d put my fear under a poker‑face, but mentally I was a bundle of nerves.”
- Unfamiliar opponent: “I came up against Rocky “The Outlaw” Batolbatol, an undefeated fighter with zero public record. ‘What if he’s a wushu champ and can knockout everything?’ I was in a head‑butter‑flurry.
- Travel stress: “I spent fight week roaming around, looking for peace, yet the moment I hopped aboard the bus and walked into the changing rooms, I was sweating like a sauna.”
Heroes on the Sidelines
Thanks to KMA Top Team’s ace coach Fari Salievski, Nguyen found calm amid the storm. Salievski, “my father figure in the gym,” kept him grounded: “This is what you came for. Don’t hype yourself up. Stay humble.”
But the real MVP? Nguyen’s wife. “She looked at me with fear in her eyes, so I had to be the man for her. My family’s support fed me extra courage.” His wife’s presence turned the mental board into a power‑up.
Putting on the Game Face
Once the gloves met, Nguyen felt the “either me or Rocky” vibe. Winning the first takedowns, the crowd leaned in, and confidence surged. “There it was—all the training pieces clicking.”
Career on the Rise
Since that debut, Nguyen has turned nervousness into a bulletproof confidence. He’s now the ONE Lightweight and Featherweight World Champion, and every bout is proof that he can turn any stage into his own stage.
Quick Reflections
“When the cage seals, you pull everything together. It’s about pondering “Why am I doing this?” and “Who’s behind me?” The answers surface, fuelling your confidence.”
Upcoming Showdowns
Giants loom: Nguyen is set to face Kevin Belingon on July 27 at ONE: REIGN OF KINGS. And the Interim Bantamweight Title is on the line at Mall Of Asia Arena—it’s a chance to stack up three world titles in a year.
For Nguyen, the journey from shaky nerves to champion confidence is a reminder that the best fights start in the mind, and then it’s all about stepping into the ring and owning it.
