A novel scheme of neural network model reference adaptive control is proposed for arbitrary complex nonlinear discrete-time systems, i.e., non-minimum phase system, time-delay system and minimum phase system. An improved nearest neighbor clustering algorithm using an optimization strategy is introduced as the on-line learning algorithm to regulate the parameters of the RBFNN, which can simplify the neural network structure and accelerate the convergence speed. The clustering radius can be regulated automatically to guarantee the rationality of radius. Through constructing the pseudo-plant, the direct NNMRAC is also effective to the nonlinear non-minimum phase system. With the help of simulations, the control strategy based on direct RBFNN model reference adaptive control can not only make the multi-dimension nonlinear plants track multi-dimension reference signals quickly, but also endow the control systems with satisfying robustness. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.