Vietnamese UFC competitor Quang Le achieves Vietnam's inaugural UFC victory.

Vietnamese MMA Star Takes Home UFC's Baton in Des Moines

Quang Le, also known as "The Bang," snatched a historic victory in the UFC's Fight Night Des Moines event on May 4, 2025, in the United States. This wasn't just a personal triumph, but a groundbreaking win for Vietnam, marking the country's first victory in UFC history.

Quang faced off against Gaston Bolanos, Peru's "Dreamkiller," who was touted as the stronger competitor in their bantamweight division fight (52.2-53.5kg). In the second round, Quang delivered a rear-naked-choke, knocking out Bolanos at the Wells Fargo Arena in Iowa.

Between the jitters of stepping into the octagon for his third time and the pressure of his two previous losses, Quang admitted, "I was on pins and needles before this match. I had to win this to keep my UFC journey going. I've given everything for this."

Known for his grappling prowess, Quang managed to fend off Bolanos's striking attempts, showing resilience and grit under a barrage of elbows, punches, and kicks in the first round. He brilliantly wrestled Bolanos to the ground midway through the second round, securing the mount position, and eventually delivering the rear-naked-choke that left Bolanos unconscious.

Quang Lê is declared the winner of the bantamweight match of the UFC Fight Night Des Moines on May 4 in the US. Photos courtesy of the organisers

The win earned Quang a $50,000 prize and the 'Performance of the Night' title, keeping his journey in the UFC alive and well.

A Glimpse into Quang Le's MMA CareerQuang Le, with an orthodox stance and a 70" reach, lands an average of 3.02 significant strikes per minute with a 35% accuracy rate, while defending 45% of incoming strikes[3]. Having claimed a resounding victory over Bolanos, he now boasts an updated UFC record:

Recent fight: Defeated Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:54 of Round 2, winning his first UFC victory and securing a $50,000 bonus[2].
Pre-UFC career: Prior to his UFC debut, Quang boasted an 8-2-0 professional MMA record[3].

As of May 2025, no official announcements have been made regarding his next UFC bout[1][5]. Fans remain eager to see what comes next for this breakthrough talent.

Quang Lê (above) tries to apply rear-naked-choke to knock out Gaston Bolanos

The victory at UFC's Fight Night Des Moines on May 4, 2025, was rendered historic for Vietnam, as Quang Le, also known as "The Bang," marked the country's first win in UFC history.
In his bantamweight division fight against Peru's "Dreamkiller," Gaston Bolanos, Quang showcased his mixed-martial-arts skills, brilliantly wrestling Bolanos to the ground and delivering a rear-naked-choke in the second round.
Quang's triumph in Des Moines earned him both a $50,000 prize and the 'Performance of the Night' title, keeping his UFC journey intact and his spirits high.
Moreover, Quang's victory over Bolanos has further bolstered his MMA career, as he now holds an updated UFC record, including his first UFC victory and a recent successful bout.