Bi Nguyen: I Don’t Know What the Judges Want, So I’m Gunning for the Finish

Bi Nguyen seems to have learned one of the most painful lessons in mixed martial arts — never leave it to the judges — the hard way. Since joining One Championship, Nguyen (6-7, 2-4 One) has been on the losing side of four decisions while earning the judges’ favor just once, when she edged Ritu Phogat via split decision at One “Dangal.” In her latest appearance, Nguyen dropped a unanimous decision to Jennifer Olsim at One “Battleground 3.” While talking with Sherdog, Nguyen confessed that she believed she had more control over her opponent at that time and that she couldn't understand what the judges wanted.

“If there was ever a case, like a scientific case to study what judges want and how to win decisions, I think you would have to look at my entire career because there have been so many times where it has not gone my way that I think I should have won,” she said. “Then, there are some times where people have argued I did win. It’s hard to find what they want. Personally, I think that I controlled the fight more, I got more takedowns, I did more damage but I think the judges saw that one drop and gave it to her. Who knows? Honestly, at this point, I don’t know what they want. I did think that I controlled that fight more. It’s unfortunate that I have to feel this way, but I just can’t let it go to decisions anymore.”

Now, Nguyen is scheduled to face Heqin Lin at One “Bad Blood.” This time, the Xtreme Couture representative aims for a finish so that there will be no doubts about the winner.

“I’m definitely gunning for the finish. This camp, this fight, I’m really excited because I’m nervous again. I think that with all the experience, I was so comfortable, I think that’s where the decisions came from. Just comfortable. I was never really in danger, then I never really dominated to get the finish, I think I was being a little too comfortable. This fight, I’m nervous, I’m scared to lose and I think that’s a good thing. I think you’re going to see me go out there and just not risk it, just take it all.”

Nguyen also discussed her upcoming television projects, moving her fight camps to Las Vegas, and gave picks for some pivotal fights coming soon.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro
(01:32) Taking a little break from fighting to work on television projects
(03:14) Moving to Las Vegas to prepare for next fight
(05:08) Commenting on Lin’s performance against Phogat
(06:52) The evolution of her fighting game
(07:55) Losing to Olsim in July
(09:35) Picking Bibiano Fernandes vs. John Lineker
(10:06) Her pick for Angela Lee vs. Nong Stamp
(12:11) Her involvement with AAPI
(13:12) Outro

Tudor Leonte started writing about mixed martial arts in 2013 for Italian media outlets. His journey with Sherdog began in 2018 and he now covers One Championship and countless European shows. You can follow him on Twitter @MrTudorLeonte.