Being descended from the martial arts master who founded the Vietnamese martial art known as Tấn Gia Quyền, he began practicing martial arts from the age of 3. He then began competing in junior tournaments at the age of 14.[citation needed]
Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất made his first Muay Thai appearance at the 2009 Asian Martial Arts Games, competing in the men's featherweight division (54–57 kg). He lost 0–5 to Thailand's Kittisak Boonsemsen in the final to win the featherweight silver medal.[1]
Duy Nhất then participated in the 2009 Asian Indoor Games, once more in the men's featherweight division. He beat Weerapol Nonting of Thailand, 4–1, in the final to win Vietnam's only gold medal in Muay Thai.[2]
He would then make his SEA Games debut at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games held in Vientiane. Competing in the men's featherweight category, he finished in second place to win the silver medal.[3]
On July 2, 2013, Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất would defeat Daniiar Kashkaraev of Kyrgyzstan, 5–0, to win the gold medal in the men's featherweight category in Muay Thai at the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.[4]
On September 23, 2017, Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất fought at the inaugural Asia Fighting Championship event, where he defeated Huang Guang Wan by second-round technical knockout.
He appeared at Asia Fighting Championship again, this time fighting Zhao Zhan Shi on September 21, 2018.[6] After three rounds, Duy Nhất was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
On December 29, 2022, Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất faced Anon Rachvicha at MTGP: The Home Coming. He defeated Rachvicha to win the MTGP 60kg Silver Belt Championship.[13]
Return to ONE
Nguyễn made his return to ONE Championship against Denis Purić at ONE Fight Night 17 on December 8, 2023.[14] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[15]
Nguyễn faced Johan Ghazali on June 8, 2024, at ONE 167.[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17]
Mixed martial arts career
Lion Championship
On September 18, 2022, Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất faced Lê Văn Tuần in the quarter-finals of the Lion Championship 60kg Tournament at Lion Championship 1, the first licensed MMA tournament in Vietnam. He won by second-round KO[18]
On October 22, 2022, Duy Nhất faced Phan Huy Hoàng in the 60kg tournament semi-finals at Lion Championship 2. He won by second-round TKO.[19]
On November 26, 2022, Duy Nhất defeated Nguyễn Tiến Long by split decision in the 60kg tournament final to win the Lion Championship 60kg Tournament.[20]
On February 22, 2019, Duy Nhất made his lethwei debut at WLC 7: Mighty Warriors,[23] where he defeated Pich Mtes Khmang by knockout at 2:13 of the first round.[24]
On August 2, 2019, he returned to World Lethwei Championship at WLC 9: King of Nine Limbs, where he defeated Izat Zaki by unanimous decision.[25]