Fighter portrait

Rinya Nakamura

Bantamweight
Record Record: 10-2-0
Wins
10
Losses
2
Draws
0
6KO/TKO
1Sub
3Dec
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Vitals

Height, reach, and career background.

Age
31
Height
5′7″1.70 m
Reach
69″174 cm
Weight class
Bantamweight
Nationality
Japan
Team
American Top Team
Active
2021–present

Record

Tap expandable fights for their breakdowns.

LossRecord after fight: 10-2-0SUB
Opponent: Brady Hiestand, their record after the fight: 10-2-0rear-naked chokeR2 4:07

Hiestand pressed forward through Nakamura's early attacks and repeatedly made the fight physical. After working through Nakamura's front-headlock and scramble attempts, Hiestand took the back and secured control. Hiestand finished the rear-naked choke at 4:07 of round two for the official submission win.

Key moments

  • Hiestand's pressure created repeated clinch and scramble exchanges in the opening round.
  • Hiestand advanced from the scramble to Nakamura's back and secured the position.
  • The rear-naked choke ended the fight at 4:07 of round two.
WinRecord after fight: 10-1-0TKO
Opponent: Nathan FletcherBody Kick and PunchesR1 1:02
UFC on ESPN 71 - Taira vs. Park
2 Aug 2025

Nakamura circled at range and showed quick punches before a front kick landed cleanly to Fletcher's liver. Fletcher folded over, and Nakamura followed with punches until the referee stopped the fight 62 seconds into the opening round.

Key moments

  • Nakamura used lateral movement and feints while Fletcher struggled to close the distance.
  • A front kick to the liver made Fletcher double over as Nakamura immediately recognized the opening.
  • Nakamura followed with a burst of punches to complete the first-round stoppage at 1:02.
LossRecord after fight: 9-1-0DEC
Opponent: Muin GafurovUnanimousR3 5:00
UFC 311 - Makhachev vs. Moicano
18 Jan 2025

Gafurov controlled the fight with the heavier kicks and cleaner power shots, while Nakamura struggled to turn his wrestling into sustained control. Nakamura rallied with pressure and a late grappling exchange, but Gafurov survived it and won the unanimous decision.

Key moments

  • Gafurov used head and body kicks before a heavy right hand sent Nakamura off balance and gave him top control late in Round 1.
  • A right hand dropped Nakamura in Round 2, after which Gafurov briefly controlled him with a front headlock and knees.
  • Gafurov dropped Nakamura again in Round 3, then escaped a late guillotine attempt after Nakamura finally secured top position in a scramble.
  • Each judge awarded Gafurov a 30–27 decision.
WinRecord after fight: 9-0-0DEC
Opponent: Carlos VeraUnanimousR3 5:00
UFC 298 - Volkanovski vs. Topuria
17 Feb 2024

Nakamura used repeated takedowns and top control to win a unanimous decision, but Vera kept attacking from the bottom with leg locks and inverted positions. Nakamura repeatedly cleared the submissions, advanced through side control and the back, and controlled the fight without finding a finish.

Key moments

  • Vera attacked a heel hook early, but Nakamura limp-legged free and returned to top position.
  • Nakamura passed to side control and the back while Vera repeatedly looked for leg locks, an inverted triangle and an armbar.
  • Nakamura took Vera down again in Round 2, threatened the rear-naked choke and finished the sequence with top control and punches.
  • Nakamura closed Round 3 in north-south and side control before winning 30–27 on all three cards.
WinRecord after fight: 8-0-0DEC
Opponent: Fernie GarciaUnanimousR3 5:00
UFC Fight Night - Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie
26 Aug 2023

Nakamura turned the fight into a sustained grappling battle, scoring repeated takedowns and moving between side control and north-south while threatening submissions. Garcia survived choke and armbar attempts and briefly returned to his feet late, but Nakamura kept the pressure on to win a unanimous decision.

Key moments

  • Nakamura opened with kicks, then lifted Garcia for a second takedown and moved through half guard, side control and north-south.
  • A north-south choke and later armbar attempts forced Garcia to defend from underneath while Nakamura continued landing elbows and punches.
  • Nakamura took Garcia down again in Round 3, advanced to mount and the back, and attacked another armbar before Garcia escaped.
  • Nakamura finished with a head kick at the horn and won the decision 30–26, 30–27, 30–27.
WinRecord after fight: 7-0-0KO
Opponent: Toshiomi KazamaPunchR1 0:33
UFC Fight Night - Lewis vs. Spivac
4 Feb 2023
WinRecord after fight: 6-0-0KO
Opponent: Shohei NosePunchesR1 2:21
Road to UFC 1.6
23 Oct 2022
WinRecord after fight: 5-0-0SUB
Opponent: Gugun GusmanKeylockR1 3:24
Road to UFC 1.3
10 Jun 2022
WinRecord after fight: 4-0-0DEC
Opponent: Aleandro CaetanoUnanimousR3 5:00
LDH Martial Arts - Pound Storm
24 Apr 2022
WinRecord after fight: 3-0-0TKO
Opponent: Yasuyuki NojiriPunchesR1 0:25
Shooto - Professional Shooto 2022 Vol. 1
16 Jan 2022
WinRecord after fight: 2-0-0KO
Opponent: Akuri RondaHead KickR2 0:20
Shooto - Professional Shooto 2021 Vol. 5
25 Jul 2021
WinRecord after fight: 1-0-0KO
Opponent: Takumi AraiPunchR1 0:42
FD - Fighting Dreamers
15 May 2021

The Read

Style, strengths, and defining traits.

Rinya Nakamura was fascinated by Shooto fights at two years old and grew up surrounded by MMA fighters at his father’s gym. His competitive achievements include an under-23 wrestling world championship.

Signature Fights

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