After defending “The Fearless” earlier this month, Rei Tsuruya is back and focused on the 125-pound division in Macau, where he wants to disrupt a moment for Gurule and use a new run to push himself into the top ranks.
Rei Tsuruya is back for another shot at making the 125-pound division move to his rhythm.
“The Fearless” had already defended his title earlier this month against Tsuruya’s compatriot Tatsuro Taira. a result that reinforced his place on top of the division. Now. the returning 23-year-old is aiming to add his own name to the list of promising young fighters increasingly turning heads in the 125-pound weight class.
Tsuruya talked about how fast things can change inside the sport. “Obviously, I didn’t know much about Joshua Van back then with the short-notice fight, but things have changed,” he said.
His path to the UFC is tightly tied to urgency and momentum. Tsuruya earned his place on the UFC roster by winning the flyweight tournament on Season 2 of Road to UFC. then followed it with a unanimous decision win over Carlos Hernandez in his promotional debut. From there, he says the only direction that matters now is forward.
“I feel like I don’t want to be left (behind) — I want to catch up with all those top-flight contenders,” Tsuruya added. He’s not just chasing the rankings; he’s trying to stay on the same moving train as the division’s newest arrivals.
“There are a lot of new guys coming in too, so I want to get on that ride,” he said. Tsuruya also pointed to the shifting nature of the division itself, noting that “A lot of ranking changes every week as well.” His goal is clear: “I hope I can be one of those rankers and contenders.”
He carries youth and timing into every discussion. Tsuruya is the youngest fighter in the division, having just turned 23 back in March. Joshua Van is second youngest and turns 25 in October.
This weekend in Macau is where the chase becomes immediate. The next step for Tsuruya is a fight aimed at spoiling “what could be a cool little moment for Gurule.” The lineup of rising names around him only heightens the pressure to deliver: Lone’er Kavanagh. Jose Ochoa. Alden Coria. and Dana White’s Contender Series grad Imanol Rodriguez are all part of the growing collection of young talents making waves.
One detail has stayed constant through all of it: Tsuruya’s sense that the division doesn’t wait for anyone. With “The Fearless” holding the top spot after the earlier defense. and fresh challengers arriving to change the pecking order. Tsuruya’s return in Macau isn’t just about staying visible. It’s about pushing back—before the next round of ranking shifts locks him further behind.
Rei Tsuruya The Fearless Tatsuro Taira Joshua Van Carlos Hernandez UFC Road to UFC Season 2 125-pound division Macau Gurule Imanol Rodriguez Lone’er Kavanagh Jose Ochoa Alden Coria