Rinya Nakamura made his second stroll to the fabled Octagon in 2025 this previous weekend contained in the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, NV. Nakamura was reeling from a defeat by the hands of Muin Gafurov (20-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC), an alumnus of ONE Championship, by the use of unanimous resolution after quarter-hour of motion this previous January at UFC 311 from Intuit Dome.
Nakamura was penciled in for an Aug. 2 battle on the UFC Vegas 108 prelims versus Nathan Fletcher (9-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) within the latter’s third UFC battle. Rinya Nakamura entered the cardboard at UFC Vegas 108 with a report of 9-1 and 3-1 below the UFC promotional banner.
As is usually the case with fights in MMA, in case you look away from the display in your laptop computer or cell gadget for only a single second, you would very properly miss the fight-ending sequence. For those who didn’t get the possibility to observe the Nakamura vs. Fletcher contest because it was streamed reside over ESPN+ on Saturday night, you’re going to need to watch it on playback when you might have a second throughout the brand new work week.
Rinya Nakamura Makes Fast Work of Nathan Fletcher Saturday Night time
Proper from the command to battle contained in the UFC Apex facility, it was clear that on this contest, it was Rinya Nakamura’s world and we have been all dwelling in it. Nakamura landed a kick to Fletcher’s leg not lengthy after the bout started, momentarily wobbling Nathan Fletcher.
Nakamura was fast on his ft for so long as the battle lasted, always shifting to maintain Fletcher guessing. A couple of minute into the primary spherical of a scheduled three on Saturday night, Rinya Nakamura related on a crisp kick to Nathan Fletcher’s physique to take a seat him down.
A flurry of vicious floor and pound photographs have been all that referee Kerry Hatley wanted to see to name the competition in Nakamura’s favor. Time of the stoppage: One minute, six seconds into the primary spherical of the competition.
Rinya Nakamura Talks to Bisping Put up-Win
After the battle, Michael Bisping entered the fabled Octagon for a post-fight interview with the victorious Rinya Nakamura. Throughout the interview, he talked in regards to the kick to the physique that spelled the top to his tenth skilled win.
“I noticed that his abdomen is open a bit bit, so I’m attempting to simply– simply lifting my leg,” Nakamura stated.
Additionally throughout Nakamura’s interview with Bisping, he stated that he’d wish to make one other journey to the cage earlier than the calendar flips over to 2026, whereas refusing to say that he had a selected adversary in thoughts for subsequent time.
Rinya Nakamura Surprised by UFC Vegas 108 End
Upon assembly with the assembled media backstage on the Apex, Nakamura admitted that he was a bit bit shocked as to how the battle went on Saturday evening.
“I anticipated this battle to be extra scramble sport, extra grappling sport, so I ready for it and it didn’t occurred,” Rinya Nakamura informed the media. “I really feel sort of shocked.”
Saturday evening’s win was Rinya Nakamura’s first UFC battle since altering coaching camps to American High Group from LDH Martial Arts. He talked about that the transfer took place as the results of soul-searching.
“I need to be a UFC champion to indicate my love and concord,” he stated. “That made me resolve to maneuver to Florida to coach at American High Group. I skilled in one of many highest ranges within the health club. I’m taking again my confidence and that confirmed tonight.”
Closing Ideas
In fight sports activities, how a fighter is in a position to reply to a defeat is essential. Saturday’s battle at UFC Vegas 108 was Rinya Nakamura’s first since falling from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Nakamura handed his newest check with flying colours over the weekend. He put his defeat to Muin Gafurov behind him, doing so in violent vogue.
Typically all through a profession or an individual’s life, a change in surroundings is required. With Rinya Nakamura shifting to American High Group forward of UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday night, might the change in surroundings spark one other sustained profitable streak? Solely time will inform.
