Rinya Nakamura
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23 March 1995
Saitama, Japan
| Rinya Nakamura | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 中村倫也 23 March 1995 Saitama, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Hybrid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 136 lb (62 kg; 9 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Bantamweight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm) [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Saitama, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | LDH Martial Arts (2021 - 2025) American Top Team[2] (2025 - present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | Freestyle wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2021–present (MMA) 2011–2020 (wrestling) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Senshu University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Rinya Nakamura (Japanese: 中村倫也, Nakamura Rinya; born 23 March 1995) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler who currently competes in the bantamweight division.[3] Competing at 61 kilograms, Nakamura became the 2017 U23 World Champion during his wrestling career, before retiring at age 25 to pursue mixed martial arts.[4]
Rinya is the son of Kozo Nakamura, who was involved in the early development of Shooto in the 90's.[5] Having begun wrestling at the age of five, Nakamura's first notable accomplishment in the sport of freestyle wrestling was a bronze medal from the Cadet World Championships in 2011.[6][7] A multiple-time Japanese National medalist at two different weight classes, his most remarkable achievement of his career came at the 2017 U23 World Championships, where he became the champion at 61 kilograms.[8] After the delay of the 2020 Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nakamura announced his retirement from wrestling in order to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.[4]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In April 2020, Nakamura announced his serious intentions of competing in MMA.[4] Nakamura made his professional debut against Takumi Arai in a mixed martial arts reality show Fighting Dreamers on 15 May 2021. He won the fight via first-minute knockout.[9][5]
He then made his sophomore appearance against Akuri Ronda at Shooto 0725 on 25 July 2021.[5] He won the bout via second-round knockout.[10]
Nakamura faced Yasuyuki Nojiri at Shooto 0116 on January 16, 2022.[7] He won the fight via first-minute technical knockout.[11]
On April 24, 2022, he fought against Aliandro Caetano in POUNDSTORM, and although he was punched in round 1 and cut his right eyelid leading to intense bleeding, he utilised his takedown advantage and won the 3–0 decision.[12]
Road to UFC
Nakamura faced Gugun Gusman in the Quarter-Finals of the Bantamweight tournament on June 9, 2022, in Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 3.[13] He won the bout in the first round via Americana submission.[14]
Nakamura faced Shohei Nose in the Semi-Finals of the Bantamweight tournament on October 23, 2022, at Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 6.[15] He won the bout in the first round, knocking out Nose.[16]
In the finals of the tournament, Nakamura faced Toshiomi Kazama on February 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac.[17] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[18] This win earned Nakamura his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[19]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Nakamura faced Fernie Garcia at UFC Fight Night 225 on August 26, 2023.[20] He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[21]
Nakamura was scheduled to face Brady Hiestand on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[22] However, Hiestand pulled out due injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Carlos Vera.[23] Nakamura dominated most of the bout on the ground and won by unanimous decision.[24]
Nakamura faced Muin Gafurov on January 18, 2025, at UFC 311.[25] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, leading to his first loss in mixed martial arts.[26]
Nakamura faced Nathan Fletcher on August 2, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 71.[27] He won the fight by technical knockout via a body kick one minute into the first round.[28]
Nakamura was scheduled to face Luan Lacerda on March 14, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 269.[29] However, Nakamura withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Hecher Sosa.[30]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Toshiomi Kazama[19]
- Road to UFC Season 1 Bantamweight Tournament Winner
- UFC.com Awards
Mixed martial arts record
| 11 matches | 10 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 6 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 10–1 | Nathan Fletcher | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC on ESPN: Taira vs. Park | August 2, 2025 | 1 | 1:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 9–1 | Muin Gafurov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 311 | January 18, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Carlos Vera | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 298 | February 17, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Fernie Garcia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie | August 26, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 7–0 | Toshiomi Kazama | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac | February 4, 2023 | 1 | 0:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the Road to UFC Season 1 Bantamweight Tournament. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 6–0 | Shohei Nose | KO (punches) | Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 6 | October 23, 2022 | 1 | 2:21 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Road to UFC Season 1 Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 5–0 | Gugun Gusman | Submission (keylock) | Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 3 | June 10, 2022 | 1 | 3:24 | Kallang, Singapore | Road to UFC Season 1 Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 4–0 | Aleandro Caetano | Decision (unanimous) | LDH Martial Arts: Pound Storm | April 24, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Yasuyuki Nojiri | TKO (punches) | Shooto: 2022 Vol. 1 | January 16, 2022 | 1 | 0:25 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Akuri Ronda | KO (head kick) | Shooto: 2021 Vol. 5 | July 25, 2021 | 2 | 0:20 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Takumi Arai | KO (punch) | LDH Martial Arts: Fighting Dreamers | May 15, 2021 | 1 | 0:42 | Tokyo, Japan | Bantamweight debut. |
