Rei Tsuruya is set to face a new opponent next week at UFC Macau. The Japanese fighter was originally scheduled to compete against Jesús Aguilar. Due to Aguilar’s injury, Luis Gurule will step in as Tsuruya’s opponent. This bantamweight matchup is highly anticipated.
Upcoming Fight Details
- Event: UFC Macau
- Date: May 30, 2024
- Opponent: Luis Gurule
- Weight Class: Bantamweight
Recently, Gurule ended a three-fight losing streak by defeating Daniel Bárez via unanimous decision in Las Vegas. This victory has provided him a much-needed boost ahead of the fight with Tsuruya.
Rei Tsuruya’s Journey in the UFC
Rei Tsuruya earned his place in the UFC after a successful run in the Road to UFC tournament, where he triumphed over three opponents. He made his UFC debut on June 29, 2024, against Carlos Hernandez, winning by unanimous decision. However, Tsuruya faced a setback in his last fight against Joshua Van, suffering his first career defeat.
Van, who went on to become the current champion, showcased his skills just three fights later. Tsuruya was scheduled to return to the octagon in August 2023 against Nyamjargal Tumendemberel but had to withdraw due to injury. He is now ready to compete against Gurule and aims for his second win in the UFC.
Luis Gurule’s Path to Redemption
Luis Gurule’s journey in the UFC has been challenging. After being signed in October 2024 following a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series, he made his debut in April 2023. His initial experience in the UFC included two losses—one to Ode’ Osbourne and the other to Jesús Aguilar. A win was crucial for Gurule after a rough start in the organization.
Last weekend’s victory over Bárez was a turning point. Gurule’s performance indicated he is back on track, and he is hopeful that this momentum will carry him through the fight against Tsuruya.
Main Card and Preliminary Events at UFC Macau
The UFC Macau event will also showcase several exciting fights:
Main Card
- Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Zhang Mingyang vs. Alonzo Menifield
- Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison Teixeira
- Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman
- Jake Matthews vs. Carlston Harris
- Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji
Preliminary Card
- YiSak Lee vs. Luis Dias
- Ding Meng vs. José Henrique
- Aoriqileng vs. Cody Haddon
- Rei Tsuruya vs. Luis Gurule
- Angela Hill vs. Xiong Jingnan
- Zhu Kangjie vs. Rodrigo Vera
- Loma Lookboonmee vs. Jaqueline Amorim
UFC Macau promises to deliver thrilling matchups, with Rei Tsuruya and Luis Gurule as a highlight of the night. Fans eagerly await this bout, hoping for an exciting display of skill in the bantamweight division.
