UFC Fighter Suffers a Gruesome Eye Injury in Knockdown Record Breaking Fight [WATCH]

UFC featherweight Steven Nguyen made a historic statement Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, delivering a dominant performance that resulted in a record-setting number of knockdowns and a doctor’s stoppage victory over Mohammad Yahya at Etihad Arena.

Nguyen, 32, who entered the promotion through Dana White’s Contender Series, knocked Yahya down six times during the preliminary bout.

The feat broke the UFC record for most knockdowns in a single fight.

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The previous record of five was jointly held by Jeremy Stephens, who recorded five knockdowns against Gilbert Melendez in 2017, and Forrest Petz, who achieved the same against Sammy Morgan in 2006.

Despite suffering repeated knockdowns, Yahya continued to return to his feet, prompting concern among fans and commentators as the fight progressed.

Steven Nguyen got a UFC record SIX knockdowns against Mohammad Yahya #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/R8U9KZCHhS

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 26, 2025

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Yahya was competing in front of a home crowd in the United Arab Emirates and attempted to rally throughout the first round, even scoring a knockdown of his own.

However, Yahya’s perseverance came at a cost.

He sustained significant visible injuries, including multiple cuts to his face and a hematoma that caused severe swelling around his left eye.

The hematoma eventually swelled shut the eye, prompting referee Jason Herzog and the ringside medical team to call an end to the bout in the second round via doctor’s stoppage.

Some fans criticized the decision not to stop the fight earlier. One social media user wrote, “Herzog needs to be fired that’s not a beating that’s a life changing injury. […] Hopefully Yahya gets better and Jason gets f****n fired.”

Another user commented, “Damn did the ref bet decision or something this is crazy.”

Multiple other viewers echoed frustration with Herzog’s officiating, using memes and quotes from the film Rocky IV to describe the situation.

One user referenced Ivan Drago’s line, “If he dies, he dies,” while another claimed “Herzog is in a ‘if he dies he dies’ mood.”

Jason Herzog watching Steven Nguyen drop Yahya 6 times in Round 1 and still not stopping the fight #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/pT1eIczqfu

— Patrick Danna (@patdannamma) July 26, 2025

Another commenter added, “The referee should be fined and jailed,” in response to a photo showing Yahya’s visibly swollen face.

At the end of the first round, Yahya had to be helped to his stool by his cornerman.

The damage to his face, particularly around the left eye, was apparent.

STEVEN NGUYEN GETS THE WIN BY DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE AFTER SETTING A UFC RECORD SIX KNOCKDOWNS AT #UFCABUDHABI pic.twitter.com/i8DPfrvLYa

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 26, 2025

The ringside doctor then examined him, and referee Herzog officially stopped the fight early in the second round.

Saturday’s win marked Nguyen’s first UFC victory after signing with the organization in 2023.

He previously made his promotional debut in 2024, which resulted in a loss.

“I’ve been working so hard for this moment. It’s finally here,” Nguyen said after the fight.

“The fight’s not over until it’s over. I came into UFC 0-1 and I come back and I wanted that finish. Here we are now.”

Nguyen’s performance not only earned him his first official UFC win but also etched his name into the record books with six knockdowns in a single bout.

The result may also prompt further discussion around the timing of referee stoppages in MMA and fighter safety protocols in high-damage bouts.

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