Rei Tsuruya enters his Shanghai matchup with Kevin Borjas aiming to turn a quick return to the Octagon into a meaningful step forward in the flyweight division. The Japanese prospect fought in May after spending 14 months on the sidelines, and he immediately returned to the win column with a first-round submission of Luis Gurule. Now, just a couple of months later, Tsuruya is scheduled to open the UFC Shanghai card against Borjas at Oriental Sports Arena, with four flyweight bouts spread across the 13-fight event.
The assignment gives Rei Tsuruya a direct chance to build on the momentum he regained against Gurule. Before that victory, he had been carrying the first loss of his career, a defeat to Joshua Van at UFC 313 after Van accepted the fight on short notice. Tsuruya said the perception of that setback changed during his absence as Van became champion, but his focus has remained on moving forward. He wants to catch up with the division’s top contenders and avoid being left behind as new fighters arrive and rankings continue to shift. His May performance provided the first answer; Shanghai offers the opportunity to show that the result was the start of a renewed run rather than a one-off return.
A quick return after the May submission
Rei Tsuruya did not ease back into competition in May. UFC.com described him as rolling through Gurule after a right hand sent the short-notice replacement backward, allowing Tsuruya to get ahold of him and begin working. A few minutes later, Tsuruya had secured the first-round submission and was standing in the center of the cage with a needed victory behind him. The result restored activity after a lengthy absence and put him back into the discussion around ascending flyweights, even if Tsuruya has not yet placed himself among that group.
That distinction matters to Tsuruya’s approach this week. He said he was happy to win because it had been a while since he had fought in the Octagon, but he also said he does not feel he is at that point yet when discussing the emerging names in the division. With several flyweight contests on the Shanghai card, Tsuruya views the setting as a chance to make a statement. He said he wants to finish the fight, while also recognizing that the event creates a concentrated showcase for fighters in his weight class. Rather than treating the May win as a final answer, Tsuruya has framed it as the foundation for another performance that can move his standing forward.
Borjas presents a rankings opportunity
The immediate stakes are clear because Kevin Borjas is No. 11 in the Meta rankings. Borjas earned that position after his June win over Andre Lima, which ended Lima’s unbeaten run. Tsuruya said that defeating a ranked opponent would mean he could be in the rankings as well, calling the matchup a good opportunity. That is his target rather than a guaranteed outcome: Tsuruya is pursuing a number next to his name, not claiming one before the fight takes place. Borjas also brings a test that Tsuruya has specifically addressed. Tsuruya described Borjas as a striker and identified the left body shot and right straight counter as weapons he needs to avoid. His stated plan is to focus on staying clear of those attacks before seeking a submission. The matchup therefore connects Tsuruya’s recent submission success with a tactical challenge he has openly acknowledged ahead of the event.
- Rei Tsuruya returned in May after 14 months away and submitted Luis Gurule in the first round.
- Rei Tsuruya faces Meta-ranked No. 11 Kevin Borjas in the first flyweight bout of the Shanghai card.
| Story point | Shanghai relevance |
|---|---|
| May result | Rei Tsuruya defeated Luis Gurule by first-round submission. |
| Opponent’s ranking | Kevin Borjas is presently No. 11 in the Meta rankings. |
For Rei Tsuruya, Shanghai is not simply another appearance after a long layoff. It is the next stage of a tight sequence: a return in May, a first-round submission, then a matchup with a Meta-ranked opponent a couple of months later. He has made his ambition plain, from wanting to catch up with the division’s contenders to seeking a finish against Borjas. Whether that pursuit produces the ranking move he wants will be decided in the Octagon, but the opportunity is firmly in front of him.
Sources: UFC.com
Fight Talk
Share your take on this story
Start the Conversation
Be the first to share your take. Discuss the fight, reactions, and predictions with other fans.