Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov – Fight Preview & Analysis

UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Inglewood, California, USA. In this matchup on the fight card, Rinya “Hybred” Nakamura will take on Muin “Tajik” Tsarukyan in the Bantamweight bout. You can view the complete UFC Fight Night card.

Nakamura brings a unique southpaw fighting stance with an 68″ reach. In contrast, Tsarukyan, an orthodox fighter, stands with a 68″ reach. These variations in their styles can have a significant impact inside the Octagon.

With a 54% striking accuracy, Nakamura has shown his precision in landing significant strikes, averaging around 3.53 per minute. On the other hand, Tsarukyan boasts a 47% striking accuracy, landing approximately 3.03 significant strikes per minute.

In this post, we will break down Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov matchup. Let’s take a look at the fighter’s ages, their height, records, reach, fight stats, and more below ⤵

The 29-year-old, Rinya Nakamura is coming in with a 9-0-0 record. Nakamura will be fighting for the first time since a win via unanimous decision against Carlos Vera at UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria in February.

Tsarukyan, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Rinya Nakamura on February 17, 2024, at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov and holds a 19-6-0 record.

Rinya Nakamura has a southpaw fighting stance with an 68″ reach. The 28-year-old Muin Gafurov is an orthodox fighter with a 68″ reach. An orthodox fighter stands with their left side forward and jabs with their left hand. The southpaw fighter is the opposite. Southpaw stands with their right side forward and jabs with their right hand. In most cases, orthodox fighters are right-handed; if you are left-handed, you fight southpaw.

Rinya Nakamura stats

→ Nakamura’s striking accuracy is 54%.
→ Nakamura lands 3.53 significant strikes per minute.
→ Nakamura’s takedown accuracy is 90%.
→ Nakamura’s takedown average is 3.72 per 15 minutes.
→ Nakamura’s takedown defense is 100%.

Nakamura comes in with 54% striking accuracy, typically landing about 3.53 significant strikes every minute. Conversely, Tsarukyan fires at 47% accuracy, landing about 3.03 significant strikes per minute. Rinya Nakamura also has a 90% takedown accuracy and, on average, gets around 3.72 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Tsarukyan’s 1.95 takedowns and 68% takedown accuracy.

Muin Gafurov stats

→ Tsarukyan’s striking accuracy is 47%.
→ Tsarukyan lands 3.03 significant strikes per minute.
→ Tsarukyan’s takedown accuracy is 27%.
→ Tsarukyan’s takedown average is 1.95 per 15 minutes.
→ Tsarukyan’s takedown defense is 68%.

Muin spent, on average, 11:33 minutes in the Octagon, and Rinya has an average fight time of 7:16 minutes.

Considering their records, fighting styles, and recent performances, this matchup looks to be an intriguing clash of skills and strategies. Who will come out victorious, Rinya or Muin? Sound off in the comments.

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