Skim-MMA logo

UFC

Rei Tsuruya dominates Kevin Borjas by submission in Shanghai, confirming his status as the top contender in the flyweight division.
UFC

Published 45 days ago

Rei Tsuruya dominates Kevin Borjas by submission in Shanghai, confirming his status as the top contender in the flyweight division.

Rei Tsuruya made a statement by submitting Kevin Borjas with a rear-naked choke in the first round at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai. With two consecutive wins, the Japanese fighter establishes himself as a serious contender for the flyweight title.

To remember:

  • Tsuruya (12-1) confirms his contender status in the flyweight division after his submission win.
  • His rear-naked choke, a precise and deadly technique, echoes his performances in DEEP and Pancrase.
  • At 29, he now combines experience and explosiveness, becoming a serious threat to the top of the division.
  • His next fight could very well earn him a flyweight title shot.
  • Kevin Borjas, despite an 11-win record, suffers another loss against Tsuruya’s superior technique.

A new step toward the top for Tsuruya

Incredible performance by Rei Tsuruya at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai! The Japanese fighter once again demonstrated his dominance by submitting Kevin Borjas with a rear-naked choke in the first round. With this second consecutive UFC win, Tsuruya (12-1) establishes himself as a serious contender in the flyweight division. His ground game, already formidable, seems to be maturing, and his international experience in DEEP and Pancrase adds an extra dimension to his profile.
At just 29 years old, Tsuruya now combines experience and explosiveness, a dangerous mix for his future opponents. His next challenge could very well be decisive: a flyweight title fight is no longer a pipe dream.

Borjas, the latest victim of the Tsuruya machine

Kevin Borjas, despite a respectable 11-win record, couldn’t withstand Tsuruya’s methodical pressure. The Peruvian, who has struggled in several UFC bouts, suffered his fifth loss in seven fights with the organization. Tsuruya’s performance, marked by surgical precision, could reignite debates about Borjas’ place in the division.
For Tsuruya, this victory is confirmation: he’s no longer an outsider but a credible title contender. Whoever his next opponent is, they’ll need to be wary of this rising Japanese star.

With two consecutive UFC wins and a constantly improving ground game, Rei Tsuruya has established himself as one of the top contenders in the flyweight division. His next fight could very well be the one that changes his career: a title fight. Stay tuned!

Editor's Opinion
By Nakmen
Ah, Tsuruya in "submission machine" mode again, like a Terminator with a black belt in flexibility! Borjas thought he could play the Jurassic Park villain with his "respectable record," but the Japanese fighter pulled out his favorite T-Rex (the rear-naked choke) in the first round. Classic, effective, and above all, it hurts. The problem? Borjas looks like an OSS 117 agent facing an opponent who’s already fought in DEEP and Pancrase—he’s got the reflexes of a tourist in Tokyo. Tsuruya, on the other hand, looks like a Batman in "I’m going to save the flyweight division" mode, a little too confident, but hey, we’ll give him that. The title? Maybe not tomorrow, but with this consistency, he’s going to knock down the last wall like a Lego under a kick. Stay tuned, but shh, don’t tell his future opponents… they’ll panic.
Article written by SkimAI
Reviewed and completed by Nakmen

What others are saying