UFCRei Tsuruya Record: 11-1-0
FlyweightRecord11-1-0
Age24
DivisionFlyweight · #28
Combat Edge Elo1729
Next fightAug 29 2026
Rei Tsuruya has a 11-1-0 professional record and is 24 years old in the Flyweight division, representing The Blackbelt Japan. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jul 11, 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.
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
EloCombat Edge Elo
1729Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#223
Bantamweight#28of 176 active
Peak1730
Last move+16
Opponent quality1585avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1730 Elo after defeating Carlos Hernandez (2024-06-29)
Similar Elo in Bantamweight
Recent Elo history
WinLuis Gurule2026-05-30 | Submission+16LossJoshua Van2025-03-08 | Decision (unanimous)-17WinCarlos Hernandez2024-06-29 | Decision - Unanimous+19WinJiniushiyue2024-02-03 | TKO (Punches)+18WinMark Climaco2023-08-27 | Decision +22Rei Tsuruya quick answers
What is Rei Tsuruya's record?
Rei Tsuruya's professional MMA record is 11-1-0.
How old is Rei Tsuruya?
Rei Tsuruya is 24 years old.
What weight class is Rei Tsuruya?
Rei Tsuruya fights at Flyweight in UFC.
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 Combat Edge Elo is 1729, with a peak Elo of 1730.
How strong is Rei Tsuruya's recent opposition?
Rei Tsuruya's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1585 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 Luis Gurule at UFC Fight Night on May 30 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 11 recorded wins include 4 knockouts, 5 submissions, and 2 decisions, with 82% ending before the final bell.
4Wins by knockout
5Wins by submission
2Wins by decision
0Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Rei Tsuruya stats
Record : 11 / 1 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.40Fighter3.39Division average
Significant striking accuracy
54%Fighter44%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
1.91Fighter3.88Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
43%Fighter54%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
5.03Fighter1.51Division average
Takedown accuracy
6%Fighter34%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
50%Fighter53%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
2.01Fighter0.57Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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