Rinya Nakamura
Hybrid
Japan
Out
Injury Undisclosed
Est. Return 3/15/2026
Pulls out of fight
Nakamura (undisclosed) will no longer take on Luan Lacerda at a UFC event in Las Veagas on March 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear why Nakamura has pulled out if the bout, but he won't get a chance to build off his victory over Nathan Fletcher back in March of 2025 quite yet. Hecher Sosa, a newcomer to the UFC, will take his place in Sin City.
It's unclear why Nakamura has pulled out if the bout, but he won't get a chance to build off his victory over Nathan Fletcher back in March of 2025 quite yet. Hecher Sosa, a newcomer to the UFC, will take his place in Sin City.
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Fighting Lacerda in March
Nakamura will take on Luan Lacerda at a UFC event in Las Vegas on March 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Nakamura will head into the bout looking to build momentum off his recent victory over Nathan Fletcher in March. The 30-year-old Japanese fighter will have to overcome a disadvantage in reach compared to the older Brazilian. With a long background in wrestling, Nakamura will be no stranger to the ground game here, though his perfect 6-0 professional record in KO/TKO finishes shows he is more than capable of taking his opponent out with his striking as well.
Nakamura will head into the bout looking to build momentum off his recent victory over Nathan Fletcher in March. The 30-year-old Japanese fighter will have to overcome a disadvantage in reach compared to the older Brazilian. With a long background in wrestling, Nakamura will be no stranger to the ground game here, though his perfect 6-0 professional record in KO/TKO finishes shows he is more than capable of taking his opponent out with his striking as well.
Ends UFC Vegas 108 prelims with bang
Nakamura defeated Nathan Fletcher via TKO (body kick, strikes) at 1:02 of Round 1 at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Nakamura typically comes in with a wrestling-heavy approach, but it was his body kicks that earned him the victory here as a favorite upwards of (-420). He landed a big kick to the ribs of Fletcher early, but it was a follow-up liver shot that changed the tide of the fight. Fletcher crumbled, and Nakamura rushed in to land the finishing blows. The Road to the UFC Bantamweight Champion, Nakamura has now one three of four official UFC bouts. This victory helped him bounce back from his first career loss to Muin Gafurov back in January.
Nakamura typically comes in with a wrestling-heavy approach, but it was his body kicks that earned him the victory here as a favorite upwards of (-420). He landed a big kick to the ribs of Fletcher early, but it was a follow-up liver shot that changed the tide of the fight. Fletcher crumbled, and Nakamura rushed in to land the finishing blows. The Road to the UFC Bantamweight Champion, Nakamura has now one three of four official UFC bouts. This victory helped him bounce back from his first career loss to Muin Gafurov back in January.
Next fighter scheduled
Nakamura is scheduled to fight Nathan Fletcher in a bantamweight fight at UFC Vegas 108 on Aug. 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nakamura is coming off his first career loss after being defeated by Muin Gafurov via unanimous decision at UFC 311. Hybrid will look to bounce back against a his new challenger, Nathan Fletcher, who is also coming off his first UFC defeat. Considered as one of the top prospects, Rinya will have to step up in a big way if he wants to live up to the expectation.
Nakamura is coming off his first career loss after being defeated by Muin Gafurov via unanimous decision at UFC 311. Hybrid will look to bounce back against a his new challenger, Nathan Fletcher, who is also coming off his first UFC defeat. Considered as one of the top prospects, Rinya will have to step up in a big way if he wants to live up to the expectation.
Suffers first career defeat
Nakamura lost to Muin Gafurov via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Unanimously viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport entering the evening, Nakamura suffered his first career defeat, and it happened in overwhelming fashion. Entering as a north of a -700 favorite, Nakamura stood around for the better part of 15 minutes and did nothing. He attempted just a single takedown (it failed), and his lone offensive thrust was a token guillotine choke attempt midway through Round 3. Set to turn 30 years of age in March, Nakamura needs to bounce back in a major way his next time out.
Unanimously viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport entering the evening, Nakamura suffered his first career defeat, and it happened in overwhelming fashion. Entering as a north of a -700 favorite, Nakamura stood around for the better part of 15 minutes and did nothing. He attempted just a single takedown (it failed), and his lone offensive thrust was a token guillotine choke attempt midway through Round 3. Set to turn 30 years of age in March, Nakamura needs to bounce back in a major way his next time out.
Added to UFC 311
Nakamura will take on Muin Gafurov in a bantamweight matchup at UFC 311 on January 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Since getting his opportunity via Road to the UFC and cruising with a POTN-winning effort, Nakamura has cruised to a 3-0 record with the company and 9-0 record overall. Instead of giving him a step up in opponent, the UFC will hand him an Gafurov, who is coming off a win but is 1-2 with the company overall (1-3 if you count his Contender Series defeat). Both men have an identical height and reach on paper, but just about every other striking and grappling statistic lies in favor of Nakamura, who will likely find himself a sizable betting favorite.
Since getting his opportunity via Road to the UFC and cruising with a POTN-winning effort, Nakamura has cruised to a 3-0 record with the company and 9-0 record overall. Instead of giving him a step up in opponent, the UFC will hand him an Gafurov, who is coming off a win but is 1-2 with the company overall (1-3 if you count his Contender Series defeat). Both men have an identical height and reach on paper, but just about every other striking and grappling statistic lies in favor of Nakamura, who will likely find himself a sizable betting favorite.