When Dat was eight years old, his mother decided to leave Vietnam to give her family a better life. She brought Dat and his five siblings to Hawaii where he grew up on the island of Maui. In eighth grade, Dat won his first Junior Olympic Championship and went on to win the Men's State Championship and HawaiiGolden Gloves. In 2001, Dat graduated with Honors and was awarded a full Scholarship to Northern Michigan University, site of one of the three United States Olympic Training Centers. He spent three years studying Computer Information Systems while representing the USOEC in National and International competitions as an Olympic Hopeful.
Following his departure from the U.S Olympic Education Training Center, Dat decided to turn professional and made his debut on May 1, 2004 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dat won his first professional fight by knocking out Ernest Scott in the first round.
Dat Nguyen was scheduled to face Johnny Bedford for the BKFC Lightweight Championship at BKFC 16: KnuckleMania on February 5, 2021. After a hard-fought five-round war, Nguyen came out on top by judges decision to become the new BKFC Lightweight Champion. He subsequently called out Jonny Beltran for his next bout.
On June 10, 2021, BKFC president Dave Feldman revealed that the organization and Nguyen were unable to come to terms regarding a new contract, leading to the title being stripped and making Nguyen a free agent.[5]
Nguyen ended up fighting for BKFC again and faced Luis Palomino at BKFC 22 on November 12, 2021 for the lightweight title and lost via unanimous decision.[6] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[7]
Nguyen is a boxer puncher with hand speed and power, who likes to beat up the body. He is promoted by King's Promotions, the leading promoter for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC). "Dat brings a ton of charisma coupled with great skill into the ring and I am happy to showcase his talents," said DiBella.
"Boxing is not my mother's first choice for me" said Nguyen. "But she encourages me to give 100% to anything I do. This is the thing I choose to do, "said Nguyen
Nguyen is trained by known teacher and former legendary fighter James "Buddy" McGirt in Vero Beach, Florida where Nguyen now lives. "He will be a champion" said McGirt.
