MMA Preview – Toshiomi Kazama vs Rinya Nakamura at UFC Vegas 68
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TOSHIOMI KAZAMA VS RINYA NAKAMURA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 218? Sunday 5th February, 2023 - 04:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 218? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 218? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 218 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 218? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
TOSHIOMI KAZAMA VS RINYA NAKAMURA LOWDOWN
Toshiomi Kazama (10-2) is in the final of the bantamweight Road to UFC final but actually entered the tournament coming off a brutal loss. He was fighting for LDH Martial Arts where he met Shoji Saito and his bony kneecap. It was a picture-perfect flying knee which iced Kazama for the first time in his career. Nonetheless, he walked into the quarterfinals and earnt a unanimous decision over Keremuraili Maimaitituoheti. He was then scheduled to fight Kim Min Woo who blew his chance by missing weight giving Kazama a welcome bye.
His fellow Japanese native and national wrestler, Rinya Nakamura (6-0) has transitioned into MMA effortlessly so far. He also entered the tournament after a fight for LDH Martial Arts, but he fared better outpointing Aleandro Caetano. That earnt him a quarter final pairing with Gugun Gusman who he threw around before cinching up a merciless Americana. He then made even quicker work of Shohei Nose in the semis knocking him out early in the first round.
TOSHIOMI KAZAMA VS RINYA NAKAMURA PREDICTION
This is a great final between two young bantamweight prospects. They match-up similarly size-wise but Nakamura is a lot stronger from his wrestling background.
He looks like the real deal and considering he is early days in a new sport, he does not look out of place in his southpaw stance and is getting better with each fight. He will back himself on the feet against Kazama who’s strengths also lie in his grappling.
Kazama can go far in the division, but this is a bad match-up for him. His jiu-jitsu may hold up, but we expect him to get out muscled and controlled on the ground. Nakamura also has the firepower to hurt Kazama on the feet.
Expect explosive strikes and level changes from Nakamura who will look to throw Kazama to the canvas and hunt a quick finish.
Prediction: Nakamura via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
