UFCRei Tsuruya Record: 12-1-0
FlyweightRecord12-1-0
Age24
DivisionFlyweight · #8
MMA Elo1756
Last fightAug 29 2026
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Rei Tsuruya has a 12-1-0 professional record and is 24 years old in the Flyweight division, representing The Blackbelt Japan (1645 average active-roster Elo across 7 rated fighters). This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, MMA Elo, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Aug 29, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Rei Tsuruya bio
Personal background
Rei Tsuruya is a Japanese flyweight competing in the UFC, born on June 22, 2002, in Kashiwa, Chiba, and one of the most promising 125-pound prospects to come out of Japan in years. He was raised inside the sport: his father, Hiroshi Tsuruya, was a professional fighter and a judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who founded the respected Paraestra and later The Blackbelt Japan, the gym Rei still fights out of today. Tsuruya built a strong wrestling base early, competing in Greco-Roman at the national level before transitioning fully to mixed martial arts as a teenager. Standing 5'7" with a 68-inch reach, he blends that grappling foundation with sharp, polished striking — a complete skill set forged under his father's guidance.
Path to the UFC
Tsuruya turned professional in 2021 and quickly made a name for himself on the Japanese regional circuit, racking up wins in DEEP and Pancrase and capturing a Pancrase flyweight title along the way. His finishing instincts were obvious from the start, and by 2023 he had earned a spot in the UFC's Road to UFC tournament, the promotion's developmental showcase for Asian talent. That tournament became his gateway to the big stage, and he made the most of it.
Road to UFC run
Tsuruya tore through the Road to UFC bracket. He opened with a second-round kimura submission of the previously unbeaten Ronal Siahaan, then outpointed Mark Climaco over three rounds by unanimous decision in the semifinal. He capped the tournament in February 2024 with a first-round TKO of the 13-2 Jiniushiyue to claim the flyweight crown and the UFC contract that came with it.
UFC career
Tsuruya made his official UFC debut in June 2024 at UFC 303, grinding out a unanimous-decision win over Carlos Hernandez to push his record to a perfect mark inside the promotion. His unbeaten run finally met its first test in March 2025 at UFC 313, where he dropped a unanimous decision to surging contender Joshua Van — the lone blemish on his record. Tsuruya answered emphatically in May 2026, submitting Luis Gurule with a rare first-round face crank to climb back into the win column and reassert himself as a flyweight to watch.
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Fighting style
Tsuruya is a finisher in the truest sense, with an 82% finish rate across his 11 wins — five by submission and four by knockout, with only two decisions. His Greco-Roman wrestling and his father's grappling lineage give him a smothering top game and a deep, creative submission arsenal, as the kimura and the unusual face-crank finishes demonstrate. He pairs that with crisp, accurate striking that lets him hurt opponents on the feet before dragging them into deeper water. His lone loss, a decision to Joshua Van, exposed the kind of high-volume pressure that can give him trouble, but at his age the upside remains enormous.
Career highlights
- Road to UFC flyweight champion — swept the tournament bracket with a submission, a decision, and a first-round TKO to earn his UFC contract.
- Undefeated debut stretch — carried an unbeaten professional run into the UFC, winning his promotional debut over Carlos Hernandez before his first loss.
- Elite finishing rate — closed out 9 of his 11 wins inside the distance, splitting them almost evenly between knockouts and submissions.
Career snapshot
Rei Tsuruya career snapshot
Elo · Professional MMAMMA Elo
1756Great ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#151
Flyweight#8of 206 active
Peak1756
Last move+14
Opponent quality1622avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1756 Elo after defeating Kevin Borjas (2026-08-29)
Similar Elo in Flyweight
Rei Tsuruya quick answers
What is Rei Tsuruya's record?
Rei Tsuruya's professional MMA record is 12-1-0.
How old is Rei Tsuruya?
Rei Tsuruya is 24 years old.
What weight class is Rei Tsuruya?
Rei Tsuruya fights at Flyweight in UFC.
What gym does Rei Tsuruya represent?
Rei Tsuruya is associated with The Blackbelt Japan, whose 7 active Combat Edge fighters average 1645 Elo.
How tall is Rei Tsuruya?
Rei Tsuruya is 5'7" tall with a 68" reach.
How much does Rei Tsuruya weigh?
Rei Tsuruya competes at Flyweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 126 lbs.
What is Rei Tsuruya's Combat Edge Elo?
Rei Tsuruya's professional MMA Elo is 1756, with a peak Elo of 1756.
How strong is Rei Tsuruya's recent opposition?
Rei Tsuruya's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1622 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Rei Tsuruya's last fight?
Rei Tsuruya's latest tracked pro fight was against Kevin Borjas at UFC Fight Night on Aug 29 2026.
What is Rei Tsuruya's recent form?
Rei Tsuruya's recent tracked pro form is W-W-L-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Rei Tsuruya usually win?
Rei Tsuruya's 12 recorded wins include 4 knockouts, 6 submissions, and 2 decisions, with 83% ending before the final bell.
4Wins by knockout
6Wins by submission
2Wins by decision
0Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
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Rei Tsuruya stats
Record : 12 / 1 / 0Tracked UFC statistics may not cover a fighter's full career. Unavailable measurements are not zero.
Significant strikes landed per minute
2.40Fighter3.95UFC flyweight avg
Significant striking accuracy
54%Fighter44%UFC flyweight avg
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
1.91Fighter3.88UFC flyweight avg
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
43%Fighter55%UFC flyweight avg
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
5.03Fighter1.44UFC flyweight avg
Takedown accuracy
6%Fighter26%UFC flyweight avg
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
50%Fighter57%UFC flyweight avg
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
2.01Fighter0.61UFC flyweight avg
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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