Career Averages - Rei Tsuruya
Career Averages - Luis Gurule
Rei Tsuruya
Luis Gurule
Rei Tsuruya - Fight History
AJ picks Tsuruya, expecting him to dominate with high-level jiu-jitsu and positional grappling. He notes Aguilar is tough but basic, and Tsuruya's submission threat is real. AJ worries about Tsuruya's cardio but thinks he will either win by submission or decision, with a preference for a rear-naked choke finish.
Angelo picks Rei Tsuruya because he is a very good wrestler with great control and cardio. He notes that Luis Gurule just fought a full 15-minute war and is flying across the world, which will not help his cardio. Rei's only loss is to the current world champion Joshua Van.
Angelo picks Rei Tsuruya, trusting his wrestling control and ability to get the fight to the ground. He notes that Luis Gurule has been taken down many times before and still won, but he doesn't think that will happen here. He also questions Gurule's ability to perform after a short turnaround and travel. He believes Tsuruya's top control and cardio will be the difference.
Angelo picks Rei Tsuruya (referred to as Ryura), citing his high-level wrestling and control. He believes Luis Guruel (Jesus Aguilar) will fade due to two weight cuts in two weeks and jet lag, and that Tsuruya's takedowns and top control will be decisive. He notes Tsuruya may not score extremely well but is a decent lineup play.
Big Brady picks Rei Tsuruya by decision, noting Aguilar took the fight on short notice after fighting a week ago and absorbing over 100 significant strikes. He believes Tsuruya's wrestling and grappling are superior, and he will attempt many takedowns, similar to the Pichinin fight. He acknowledges Aguilar would be a live dog with a full camp but the circumstances favor Tsuruya.
Cody picks Tsuruya, citing his youth, back-take specialist skills, and the favorable circumstances. He notes that Tsuruya was supposed to fight Jesus Aguilar, who beat Gurule, but now faces a short-notice opponent who just fought two weeks ago and is moving up to 135. Cody believes Tsuruya's takedowns and control will be effective, and Gurule's fatigue and travel will work against him.
Levi picks the underdog Aguilar, noting his anti-wrestling and ability to scramble. He thinks Tsuruya's standup is limited and Aguilar can sprawl-and-brawl to a decision. However, he acknowledges many 'ifs' regarding Aguilar's health and travel.
Jacob picks Rei because he is a relentless wrestler with a lifetime of wrestling experience. He expects Rei to get early takedowns and that Luis's defensive wrestling will drain his gas tank, leading to late takedowns for Rei. He compares it to Rei's fight against Carlos Hernandez.
Lucrative James picks Rei Tsuruya confidently, citing his slick grappling, unorthodox takedowns, and youth (23). He notes Jesus Aguilar's poor takedown defense and believes Tsuruya's creativity and scrambling will lead to a submission. He mentions Tsuruya's training with Cejudo and improvement since his loss to Joshua Van.
The host picks Aguilar on short notice, believing his cardio and scrambling ability will overcome Tsuruya's grappling. He notes Aguilar's experience against good grapplers and his tendency to not settle for bad positions. He expects Aguilar to defend takedowns early, work back to his feet, and land more damage as the fight goes into deeper waters.
The host picks Jesus Aguilar (referred to as 'Guru') over Rei Tsuruya, noting Aguilar's recent win and good grappling defense. He expects Aguilar to stop takedowns and outwork Tsuruya on the feet, winning on the scorecards in the later rounds.
Paul picks Tsuruya, noting his ability to get takedowns and control positions. He mentions Gurule's recent war and short notice, and that Tsuruya is a young prospect. Paul believes Tsuruya can find a submission or at least control the fight.
The Guru picks Jesus Aguilar over Ray Borgia (Rei Tsuruya), favoring Aguilar's experience and aggressive striking. He doubts Borgia's ability to implement his grappling due to limited striking, and believes Aguilar can stuff takedowns and overwhelm Borgia on the feet. He notes Aguilar's submission threat as a bonus.
The MMA Guru picks Rei Tsuruya to win by submission. He notes that Tsuruya is an elite freestyle wrestler with good grappling, and despite Aguilar's dangerous guillotine, Tsuruya is crafty enough to avoid those positions. He believes Tsuruya will get a submission, possibly similar to how Tatsuru Taira submitted Aguilar from a guillotine attempt.
The Guru believes Tsuruya's relentless grappling and fast start will win the first two rounds at a high clip. He notes Tsuruya's takedown volume and scrambling are excellent, while Aguilar has good cardio and could take the third round but likely loses a decision. He thinks Tsuruya wins 29-28 or 30-27.
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tsuruya (-220); Gurule (+180)
Round 1
Gurule (11-3; 1-3 UFC), just two weeks removed from his first UFC win, looks to build on that momentum as he steps up on short notice against Tsuruya (10-1; 1-1 UFC), who was last in action over a year ago against now-champ Josh Van and most now rebound from that setback. The habitual flyweights have agreed to meet at 135 pounds here, and Marc Goddard is the referee. Tsuruya refuses the glove touch, and his southpaw stance against Gurule’s orthodox attack leads to immediate jostling of the lead hands. A few awkward, glancing exchanges result, but Tsuruya’s advantages in height and reach are stark. He lands a hard left that buckles Gurule’s legs momentarily, and he presses his advantage. He can’t land any more clean strikes, but hustles the American to the canvas, where he gradually moves to take back control. Gurule halts his positional advance, and Tsuruya punishes him with a brutal stream of ground punches that have Goddard looking on closely. Gurule survives and shells up, but when he tries to stand, Tsuruya hoists him, slams him back to the ground and takes back mount.
Tsuruya sinks a body triangle and starts fishing for a choke. He gets a neck crank and applies torque, and it’s enough: Gurule is forced to tap and Goddard is there for the save.
Impressive work from Rei Tsuruya to bounce back from his first professional loss in dominant fashion.
The Official Result
Rei Tsuruya def. Luis Gurule R1 3:19 via Submission (Neck Crank)
AJ is confident in Rei Tsuruya, citing a clear grappling edge over Luis Gurule, who is a short-notice replacement. He notes that Gurule was dropped multiple times by Jesus Aguilar, whom Tsuruya was originally scheduled to fight. AJ expects Tsuruya to take Gurule's back and secure a rear-naked choke submission, as Tsuruya is a hyper-elite grappler with only one pro loss to Joshua Van.
AJ is confident Tsuruya will out-grapple Gurule, citing his high-level grappling, takedowns, and jiu-jitsu. He notes Tsuruya's only loss is to Joshua Van and compares him to a 'great value Tatsuro Taira'. He predicts Tsuruya will hit takedowns, control position, and win by decision or submission, specifically a rear naked choke in the first or second round.
Connor picks Rei Tsuruya, noting Gurule is not fast, dynamic, or powerful for flyweight, and cannot create separation. Tsuruya is faster and can impose his wrestling game. Gurule is also on short notice.
Zane picks Rei Tsuruya because he is a strong, determined wrestler who gave Joshua Van a hard fight. Luis Gurule is a meat-and-potatoes flyweight who struggles against athletic opponents willing to push pace. Tsuruya is faster and knows exactly what he needs to do.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 0 | 59 of 97 | 60% | 127 of 169 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 32 of 84 | 38% | 47 of 104 | 4 of 21 | 19% | 0 | 0 | 3:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 0 | 17 of 29 | 58% | 37 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 13 of 24 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 0 | 18 of 28 | 64% | 31 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 11 of 33 | 33% | 19 of 43 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 | |
| 3 | Joshua Van | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 59 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 15 of 37 | 40% | 15 of 37 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 59 of 97 | 60% | 39 of 74 | 19 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 53 of 90 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 32 of 84 | 38% | 28 of 78 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 32 of 83 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 17 of 29 | 58% | 10 of 22 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 18 of 28 | 64% | 13 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 11 of 33 | 33% | 9 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joshua Van | 24 of 40 | 60% | 16 of 30 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rei Tsuruya | 15 of 37 | 40% | 13 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Van (-192), Tsuruya (+160)
Round 1
Preliminary headlining focus shifts from the heaviest weight class in the UFC instead to the lightest men’s division, as Van (12-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. Tsuruya (10-0, 1-0 UFC) has been elevated to that vaunted cable slot. As a note, this will be the first fight in the history of the promotion between two competitors born after the year of 2000, and referee Jason Herzog will do his best to keep pace with these two youngsters. The flyweights bump fists, and Tsuruya takes the center of the cage and hand-fights his opponent. Van starts to walk forward, where he jabs the body. Tsuruya shoots in on his hips, and Van shucks him off and escapes. Van stuffs a second takedown, and he turns Tsuruya towards the fence but is unable to keep him there. They jockey for position while kneeing one another in the thigh and midsection, and Van frees himself. When Tsuruya fakes for another takedown, Van sells out defending it and eats a left hand down the pipe. Van pays him back with a snappy right hand, and Tsuruya turns and runs to reset. Van tags him with another right, and he has to fend off another takedown from a long way away. Van works his way to the wall to put his back against it, helping defend the level change. Tsuruya keeps him tied up until Van explodes out of position, and he throws himself off-balance when trying to back off. Van walks him down and punches him in the face, stifling a takedown effort and breaking out of the tie-up. Tsuruya reaches out with a right hand, and he leans back to dodge a head kick that buzzes his cornrows. Van times a perfect right hand when Tsuruya ducks, and Tsuruya has to take a moment to recover. Van keeps after him, ready for the incoming takedown, and Tsuruya still manages to get lower and throws Van to his back. Van gets to his knees and escapes before anything comes from the successful takedown, and he gets back to walking the unbeaten fighter down. Tsuruya again ducks away to get safe, and Van punches him in the nose to bloody it. When Van looses a head kick, Tsuruya hits a successful single-leg entry and puts Van on his seat. Van jumps back up again and elbows Tsuruya on the break to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van
Round 2
It takes no more than a few seconds for Tsuruya to shoot for a takedown, and Van shuts him down. The second effort results in both men dropping to their knees, and Van gets out of this one again and goes back to marching his opponent down. Tsuruya ducks and eats a right hand, and Van runs at him with his hands flying. Tsuruya takes one or two on the chin before grabbing Van’s arm and expertly slinging him to the floor. Tsuruya holds on from a high side control, keeping his right arm beneath Van’s head while his left hand slugs Van in the face. Van bursts back to his feet, and he uncomfortably frames of Tsuruya’s face to get some space. Van stuffs a takedown and lands a punch, and Tsuruya gives him two back that set up a single. Van drops to his knees to stop the takedown from going anywhere, and he lets go to stand up. Tsuruya connects at the end of a one-two, and he gets back to circling on the outer edge of the cage. Van disallows him from getting another takedown, pushing out of the clinch so he can throw hands. Tsuruya tries to pay him back, and Van goes to the body with two thudding punches. Tsuruya whiffs, dodges and comes out with a right hand over the top, only for Van to be in his face working him with front kicks and right hands. One particularly damaging front kick forces Tsuruya to shoot, and Van laughs it off and elbows Tsuruya in the face. Tsuruya tries to spin with an elbow in close range, and Van ducks and walks him down to club him in the face with a right hand. Van scores a left hand, grabs the back of Tsuruya’s neck and lowers himself into a painful knee, and Tsuruya shakes it off and spins with a back fist that does land. Van keeps after him until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Van
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van
Round 3
There is a glove touch to open the last round, and three seconds in, Tsuruya shoots. Van is reminded by Herzog that his opponent is grounded so he does not throw knees, and he lets Tsuruya up so he can bust him in the face with an elbow. Van keeps plodding ever forward, kicking Tsuruya in the face and eating a right hand on the way out. Two more shots from Tsuruya run into a 125-pound brick wall, and Van wants nothing to do with the grappling and gets back to throwing hands. Any time he is about to land with something effective, Tsuruya shoots, and Van easily sprawls. Tsuruya sneaks in a right hand, and he wobbles back when apparently clipped on the way out. Van goes to the body, and his foe fakes a takedown to knee him in the body. Van fires off a front kick, and it bangs into Tsuruya’s cup to force a Herzog stoppage. After 75 seconds, the fighters get back to it with a touch of gloves. Tsuruya shoots in with a naked takedown, and Van belts him in the side of the head as he backs himself to the fence. Van unleashes vicious left hands to the side, with Tsuruya all the way in for a takedown that he is not landing. Van turns the corner and gets out, and he puts his foot on the gas and hops away from a low kick. Van jabs his way in, and he walks through a Tsuruya punch to put one on Tsuruya’s chin. Tsuruya comes up short on a one-two, and Van stings him with a straight right hand. A second from “The Fearless” stumbles Tsuruya, who gathers his thoughts and spins with a back fist that brushes off the side. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 failed takedowns have now come from Tsuruya, and Van walks him down and kicks him in the gut. Van goes to the body and wings a right hand up top, but the big right hand misses his target. Van jams a front kick into Tsuruya’s midsection, and Tsuruya goes down clutching his groin. However, the toes from Van are shown to have stabbed into Tsuruya’s torso, and Herzog ushers them back to restart the fight despite that it was partially a groin shot. Van walks his man down, punching in the face repeatedly, and nearly dropping him right before the final bell. When time expires, Van raises his arms in the air and goes to talk to someone outside the cage, proud that he very likely ejected the Japanese fighter from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Van (30-27 Van)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Van (30-27 Van)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Van (30-27 Van)
The Official Result
Joshua Van def. Rei Tsuruya via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 62 of 83 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 6:19 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 26 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 9 of 20 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 26 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:42 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rei Tsuruya | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 27 of 28 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 16 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rei Tsuruya | 17 of 32 | 53% | 15 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 17 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 16 of 32 | 50% | 7 of 23 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 23 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rei Tsuruya | 2 of 12 | 16% | 1 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 8 of 23 | 34% | 3 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rei Tsuruya | 13 of 17 | 76% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 17 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Rei Tsuruya | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 6 of 7 | 85% | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tsuruya (-485), Hernandez (+370)
Round 1
Fresh off three wins on the Road to UFC series, unbeaten youngster Tsuruya (9-0, 0-0 UFC) has a shiny UFC contract and will be officially making his debut with the organization. He takes on 2021 Dana White’s Contender Series pickup Hernandez (9-3, 2-2 UFC), who has alternated wins and losses since joining the major leagues. The third man in the Octagon for this flyweight affair will be referee Marc Goddard, who sits back as the fighters touch gloves. Tsuruya moves to the center of the Octagon immediately, bouncing back and forth looking for a read. Hernandez paws out half-hearted jabs to find his distance, and he hops back when a right hand whizzes by his face. Tsuruya splits the guard with a one-two, and he absorbs a low kick on the way out. When Hernandez commits to an overhand right, Tsuruya drops low and gets hold of a single-leg takedown. Hernandez moves right to a knee and stands back up, and he moves around to take Tsuruya’s back and slams Tsuruya down on his face. When the Japanese fighter hits the mat, he is quick to pursue a kneebar, and he turns the heel to get hold of a possible heel hook. Hernandez turns out of both of them, fights off the potential calf slicer and stands back to his feet. Tsuruya lunges at him with a right hand, and Hernandez walks him down looking for a big right hand that he does not throw. Both fighters miss with short punch combinations, and Hernandez dings the youngster with a left hand on the way out. Tsuruya leans over to land a few strikes, and Hernandez leans back and gets off a right hand at the end of a combo. Tsuruya shoots in for a takedown, and Hernandez works his way to the wall and leans back against it to stay upright. The 22-year-old decides instead to hit a suplex to toss Hernandez to the mat, and he winds up in side control briefly after a mad scramble. Hernandez continues to move, not settling for any position, and Tsuruya sits on top of him at an odd angle. Tsuruya locks down one left of his opponent and turns it to the right, and looks to torque the torso to the left for a potential twister. Hernandez is wise to it, and he escapes the danger before the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tsuruya
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tsuruya
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tsuruya
Round 2
There is a quick tap of gloves to get things started in the second stanza, and Hernandez moves to the middle of the cage to start this one instead. Tsuruya dives after him in pursuit of a takedown, and he scoops Hernandez up and deposits him to the mat. Hernandez locks on with an arm-triangle of Tsuruya’s shoulder to trap him in this position, but he looses it to scramble and turn over to his knees. Tsuruya wraps up Hernandez’s left arm and smashes him in the dome with an elbow on the other side, and he is warned for it landing to the back of the head. Tsuruya gets hold of a crucifix position, and Hernandez moves wildly to free his limbs from the precarious posture. Tsuruya follows him in an effort to take the back, and he settles to hold on from one side. Hernandez sits up, with Tsuruya partially behind him, and Tsuruya goes after another twister setup. Tsuruya cranks Hernandez’ hips to the right and looks to pull on Hernandez’ left arm to torque his body in inhuman directions. Hernandez does everything he can to get out of it, and Hernandez turns the wrong direction but wriggles his leg out to escape at the last second. Hernandez flips over to put his back on the mat, where Tsuruya moves into a more standard position of the open guard. Hernandez tries to push off the hips, slash out with elbows and otherwise get some space. Tsuruya gets shoved up back to his feet, and he leaps back down on top and wraps his left arm around the neck for a possible guillotine choke. Tsuruya lets the neck go so he can look for Hernandez’ leg, and Hernandez keeps shifting and twisting. Tsuruya winds up sitting up dropping down 12-6 elbows on his opponent until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tsuruya
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tsuruya
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tsuruya
Round 3
It takes Tsuruya three seconds to shoot for a takedown, and when that fails, he attempts to throw Hernandez behind him. Hernandez keeps heavy, instead pressing forward and landing on top of his opponent. During the exchange, their heads bang together and a cut is opened on the corner of Hernandez’ left eye, and it starts leaking blood down immediately. Hernandez maintains the heaviest of top pressures, not allowing Tsuruya to get any space but not ultimately doing any damage either. Hernandez resides in half guard, and Goddard asks for more activity and for Hernandez to try to improve his position. Tsuruya turns to his side and looks for a single in response, allowing Hernandez to sit up and elbow him a few times. Tsuruya gets to both knees, and he commits hard to the single but they stand up together and end up clinched on the fence. Hernandez squeezes his man up against the wire, until Tsuruya goes down to a knee to try to trip Hernandez to the floor. Hernandez stands up and jams Tsuruya up further, and the pace wanes as Hernandez turns things to a grind. Hernandez digs two left hands to the body before squeezing tightly against the Japanese prospect, occasionally opening up to land another punch or two as time keeps ticking. Tsuruya looks for an arm drag but Hernandez spins around and knees him in the liver. Tsuruya does not like this strike, and Hernandez goes after a single but cannot get it before time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Tsuruya)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Tsuruya)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Tsuruya)
The Official Result
Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cody picks Tsuruya, citing his youth, grappling, and back-taking ability. He notes that Hernandez has been taken down multiple times in recent fights and that Tsuruya is a relentless grappler. Cody believes Tsuruya will eventually get a takedown and take Hernandez's back, leading to a submission or dominant decision. He also mentions that Tsuruya has a good gas tank and creates scrambles.
Daniel respects Tsuruya's grappling-heavy style and his commitment to takedowns, even if they are not set up. He worries about Hernandez's lack of athleticism and physicality, which could allow Tsuruya to backpack and win a decision or submission. However, he notes that Tsuruya is vulnerable to knees when shooting blindly and calls it a 'dog or pass' situation.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host is confident Tsuruya will win, citing his superior wrestling and ability to create chaos in grappling exchanges. He expects Tsuruya to grind out Hernandez over 15 minutes, possibly by decision. He notes Hernandez has solid takedown defense but thinks Tsuruya's relentless pressure will overcome it.
Paul leans toward Tsuruya but is wary of the minus-500 price. He notes that Hernandez has been taken down frequently and that Tsuruya is a strong grappler. However, Paul prefers to see Tsuruya against better competition before betting him at such short odds. He acknowledges that Tsuruya likely wins but passes on the bet.
The Guru picks Carlos Hernandez as an underdog over Rei Tsuruya. He suspects Tsuruya may be due for a 'fraud check' as a Road to UFC prospect. He notes Hernandez's experience and longevity in the sport. He believes Hernandez can win a close decision, possibly 29-28.
Luis Gurule - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tsuruya (-220); Gurule (+180)
Round 1
Gurule (11-3; 1-3 UFC), just two weeks removed from his first UFC win, looks to build on that momentum as he steps up on short notice against Tsuruya (10-1; 1-1 UFC), who was last in action over a year ago against now-champ Josh Van and most now rebound from that setback. The habitual flyweights have agreed to meet at 135 pounds here, and Marc Goddard is the referee. Tsuruya refuses the glove touch, and his southpaw stance against Gurule’s orthodox attack leads to immediate jostling of the lead hands. A few awkward, glancing exchanges result, but Tsuruya’s advantages in height and reach are stark. He lands a hard left that buckles Gurule’s legs momentarily, and he presses his advantage. He can’t land any more clean strikes, but hustles the American to the canvas, where he gradually moves to take back control. Gurule halts his positional advance, and Tsuruya punishes him with a brutal stream of ground punches that have Goddard looking on closely. Gurule survives and shells up, but when he tries to stand, Tsuruya hoists him, slams him back to the ground and takes back mount.
Tsuruya sinks a body triangle and starts fishing for a choke. He gets a neck crank and applies torque, and it’s enough: Gurule is forced to tap and Goddard is there for the save.
Impressive work from Rei Tsuruya to bounce back from his first professional loss in dominant fashion.
The Official Result
Rei Tsuruya def. Luis Gurule R1 3:19 via Submission (Neck Crank)
AJ is confident in Rei Tsuruya, citing a clear grappling edge over Luis Gurule, who is a short-notice replacement. He notes that Gurule was dropped multiple times by Jesus Aguilar, whom Tsuruya was originally scheduled to fight. AJ expects Tsuruya to take Gurule's back and secure a rear-naked choke submission, as Tsuruya is a hyper-elite grappler with only one pro loss to Joshua Van.
AJ is confident Tsuruya will out-grapple Gurule, citing his high-level grappling, takedowns, and jiu-jitsu. He notes Tsuruya's only loss is to Joshua Van and compares him to a 'great value Tatsuro Taira'. He predicts Tsuruya will hit takedowns, control position, and win by decision or submission, specifically a rear naked choke in the first or second round.
Connor picks Rei Tsuruya, noting Gurule is not fast, dynamic, or powerful for flyweight, and cannot create separation. Tsuruya is faster and can impose his wrestling game. Gurule is also on short notice.
Zane picks Rei Tsuruya because he is a strong, determined wrestler who gave Joshua Van a hard fight. Luis Gurule is a meat-and-potatoes flyweight who struggles against athletic opponents willing to push pace. Tsuruya is faster and knows exactly what he needs to do.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Bárez | 0 | 113 of 246 | 45% | 117 of 252 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 149 of 299 | 49% | 178 of 335 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 1 | 2:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Bárez | 0 | 20 of 41 | 48% | 22 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 25 of 55 | 45% | 30 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 1:21 | |
| 2 | Daniel Bárez | 0 | 42 of 69 | 60% | 43 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 51 of 107 | 47% | 69 of 125 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 3 | Daniel Bárez | 0 | 51 of 136 | 37% | 52 of 138 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 73 of 137 | 53% | 79 of 148 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Bárez | 113 of 246 | 45% | 79 of 208 | 20 of 22 | 14 of 16 | 108 of 241 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 149 of 299 | 49% | 129 of 273 | 8 of 13 | 12 of 13 | 133 of 278 | 16 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Bárez | 20 of 41 | 48% | 11 of 32 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 25 of 55 | 45% | 21 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 50 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Bárez | 42 of 69 | 60% | 27 of 52 | 9 of 9 | 6 of 8 | 41 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 51 of 107 | 47% | 45 of 99 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 49 of 103 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Bárez | 51 of 136 | 37% | 41 of 124 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 51 of 136 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 73 of 137 | 53% | 63 of 124 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 62 of 125 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Jerin Valel is the referee. Barez uses his lead hand early, and then he tages Gurule with a right hand. Barez is also mixing in leg kicks well. Barez catches a kick and lands several strikes before relinquishing the limb. Gurule wakes up and pressures with a series of punches before punctuating the assault with an elbow. Barez slows it down with a clinch. Back at range, Gurule lands another heavy shot. Barez is able to get a takedown and take his foe’s back. Gurule scrambles into top position and hunts for a choke. Barez is eventually able to scramble up. Gurule lands a short elbow and they break. Barez pumps his jab to keep his adversary at bay. Gurule tags Barez with several right hands. Barez steps in with a knee and then shoots for a takedown, shoving Gurule into the wire. Gurule turns his man and lands some short shots before Barez breaks free. Another right gets through for Gurule. They trade before the horn, and it’s a Gurule right that seems to have the most impact.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Round 2
Barez targets the legs and then throws a jab. Gurule moves in but eats a hard counter from the Spainard. Gurule marches forward with a combination. Gurule with a hard kick to Barez’s lead leg. A couple rights land for Gurule, but Barez is firing back with combinations. Barez stings Gurule with a counter right, and the American shoots. Barez denies it and lands a combination, mixing punches to the head and body .A right over the top gets through for Barez. Barez is landing more combinations this round. Gurule forces the issue, and he starts landing a variety of punches. These two are trading willingly. A right from Gurule tags Barez. Gurule goes on the assault and Barez appears to be wobbled. Gurule follows him and unloads near the fence. Barez tries to slow things with a takedown, but Gurule takes the back and executes a beautiful suplex. Barez stands and they clinch near the fence. Gurule lands a stiff 1-2 and Barez shoots out of desperation. Gurule sprawls and pushes his man into the fence. He creates space and tees off with a combination. Barez answers with a spinning attack. Gurule backs up Barez with a left before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Round 3
Gurule lands a combination and follows with a low kick. Gurule is throwing in volume quite well, and he backs Barez into the fence, where he unloads with a barrage of short punches and elbows. Barez pushes Gurule off the fence and they separate. Gurule follows a punching combination with kicks to the body. Gurule tries a level change but Barez remains upright. Gurule measures and lands a right. They clinch in the center of the cage. They break and Barez tries to go on the attack. However, it’s Gurule with another solid right hand. Barez moves forward and connects with an impactful right. Barez is still throwing, but anytime he seems to be gaining momentum, Gurule has an answer. A right snaps Barez’s head back. The flyweights continue to trade, but again it’s Gurule who snaps the Spaniard’s head back with a right. Gurule is landing at will, rocking Barez with hooks to the dome. Barez has plenty of fight in him, as he continues to answer with offense of his own. The fight ends with one last spirited exchange, and Valel wraps up Barez before he can unleash a spinning attack after the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule (30-27 Gurule)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gurule (30-27 Gurule)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gurule (30-27 Gurule)
The Official Result
Luis Gurule def. Daniel Barez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Luis Gurule, viewing the fight as close to a coin flip. He notes that Barez struggled against forward pressure, which is Gurule's style. He expects Gurule's pressure and volume to earn a close decision, possibly a split. He is not betting on this fight.
Big Brady leans toward Daniel Bárez despite concerns about his age and cardio. He believes Bárez's power and early finishing ability will be too much for Luis Gurule, whose chin he no longer trusts. He predicts a first-round knockout, but acknowledges the fight could turn ugly if it goes longer.
Cody picks Luis Gurule, noting that Daniel Bárez has a poor gas tank and fades after the first round. Gurule is slow to start but has good cardio and comes on late. Cody expects Bárez to win the first round but tire, allowing Gurule to take over in the second and third, possibly getting a late stoppage.
Connor picks Gurule, agreeing with Zane. He notes Bárez is 37 and was signed at 35, which is old for flyweight. Gurule is American and has a solid style, though he lacks a next gear at this weight.
Lucrative James hesitantly picks Luis Gurule, citing Gurule's superior cardio and will to win, while Bárez tends to fade after round one. He acknowledges Bárez's early power and knockout threat, but believes Gurule can win rounds two and three. He is not confident and may avoid betting.
The host picks Luis Corrales (Gurule) over Daniel Barres, believing Corrales will finally get his first UFC win. He expects Corrales to use pace, pressure, and forward movement to win on the scorecards.
The host feels this is the best stylistic matchup for Gurule to get his first UFC win, as Bárez doesn't have the same power or athleticism as Gurule's previous opponents. He expects Gurule's pressure and pace to wear down Bárez in the second and third rounds, leading to a decision win. He is confident in Gurule at -110.
Paul does not make a clear pick for this fight, noting that both fighters are low-level flyweights and that the winner will likely face a Contender Series pickup next. He does not express a strong opinion.
Zane picks Gurule because Bárez is an undercooked regional power striker, while Gurule has a nuts-and-bolts wrestle-boxer style. However, he notes Gurule is a step behind at flyweight and lacks a next gear. Bárez might land hard shots but won't follow up.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alden Coria | 0 | 79 of 175 | 45% | 96 of 193 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 1:42 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 50 of 150 | 33% | 59 of 169 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alden Coria | 0 | 24 of 51 | 47% | 26 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 11 of 33 | 33% | 15 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Alden Coria | 0 | 22 of 51 | 43% | 29 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:02 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 12 of 38 | 31% | 13 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 3 | Alden Coria | 0 | 33 of 73 | 45% | 41 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 27 of 79 | 34% | 31 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alden Coria | 79 of 175 | 45% | 52 of 137 | 15 of 26 | 12 of 12 | 70 of 165 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 |
| Luis Gurule | 50 of 150 | 33% | 32 of 122 | 8 of 16 | 10 of 12 | 45 of 140 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alden Coria | 24 of 51 | 47% | 15 of 35 | 3 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 11 of 33 | 33% | 5 of 24 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alden Coria | 22 of 51 | 43% | 14 of 42 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 44 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
| Luis Gurule | 12 of 38 | 31% | 8 of 31 | 0 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 33 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alden Coria | 33 of 73 | 45% | 23 of 60 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 32 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 27 of 79 | 34% | 19 of 67 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 25 of 75 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Jeff Rexroad is the referee. Coria with an outside leg kick, and Gurule answers with one of his own. Gurule is warned to close his hands. Another leg kick for Coria. A right gets through for Coria. A stiff jab connects for Coria. Coria lands another jab. Coria counters Gurule with a nice combination. A quick left hand gets through for Coria, and Gurule follows a combination by shoving his man into the fence. Coria reverses position and lands a sneaky shoulder strike and a knee before they separate. Coria lands a body kick. Coria catches a kick and briefly dumps Gurule. Coria pumps his jab. Gurule wings a counter combination but can’t connect. Coria makes Gurule stumble with a calf kick. Coria knees the body and avoids a Gurule flurry at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Coria
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Coria
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Coria
Round 2
Coria opens up with a lead hook and Gurule responds with a low kick. Gurule catches a kick, lands a couple shots and looks for a takedown. He lifts and slams Coria, but the Houston native is right back to his feet. Coria hurts Gurule in an ensuing exchange. Coria targets the lead leg and then lands a straightr right. Gurule has a head kick blocked, and Coria connects with a counter left. Coria with a front kick to the body. Coria steps in with an uppercut and follows up with a straight right. They clinch and Coria lands a knee before shoving his foe into the fence. A shoulder strike follows. Coria breaks with a slashing elbow and keeps the pressure on with straights. An uppercut by Coria snaps Gurule’s head back. Coria is just picking Gurule apart. Coria connects with a head kick and Gurule goes on the attack. He strings together a series of punches before changing levels against the fence. Coria defends well and they separate. Coria stabs his foe with a front kick, then lands a knee in close. Another uppercut finds the mark for Coria. Gurule ducks under a spinning attack and slams Coria to the mat. However, Coria ends up on top in side control. Gurule goes to all fours and Coria frames a choke to force his foe back to the floor. Coria ends the round in side control.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Coria
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Coria
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Coria
Round 3
Coria lands a jab and then an outside low kick. Gurule wades forward with power punches. He backs Coria into the fence and attacks before clinching. Gurule with a short elbow on the break. Coria lands a combination to back Gurule up. He works the body nicely before going upstairs. Gurule is firing back this round, however. Coria changes levels and gets a takedown in the center of the Octagon. Gurule stands, but Coria maintains a rear body lock. A quick mat return follows and then Coria shoves Gurule toward the fence. The Houston fighter peppers his foe with a flurry of punches on the release. Coria continues to find success with a uppercut. Coria is heating up, landing punches, knees and kicks to the body. Gurule wings punches but Coria slides out of reach. Coria catches a kick. Gurule is swinging wildly before Coria releases the limb. Coria lands a jab and then eludes an onrushing Gurule. Gurule wades forward with punches and Coria just misses on a spinning attack. Gurule falls after a kick and Coria kicks the body. Gurule goes on the attack one more time, but Coria remains defensively sound until the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Coria (30-27 Coria)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Coria (30-27 Coria)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Coria (30-27 Coria)
The Official Result
Alden Coria def. Luis Gurule via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Alden Coria, impressed by his UFC debut where he stopped Alessandro Costa as an underdog. He describes Coria as a busy grappler with slick scrambles and sneaky power, and believes his relentless style will overwhelm Luis Gurule, who had low volume in his last fight.
Big Brady picks Alden Coria to defeat Luis Gurule, citing Gurule's terrible chin and Coria's well-rounded skills. He notes Gurule gets hurt in every fight and lost a striking exchange to Jesus Aguilar, who has a 62-inch reach. He believes Coria will land something big and knock out Gurule, predicting a second-round knockout. He praises Coria's debut and training with Joshua Van.
Cody is high on Coria, citing his power, youth, and takedown defense. He thinks Gurule has poor cardio and chin, and that Coria will overwhelm him. He expects a KO or dominant decision.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Coria. He notes that Gurule has not improved since his debut, while Coria has improved fight to fight, as shown in his win over Costa where he had to problem-solve. Gurule will be a free target for Coria.
James picks Alden Coria to win inside the distance, predicting he will hurt and finish Gurule. He notes that Gurule has a questionable chin and has been hurt in recent fights, while Coria is a dangerous finisher with good grappling. James sees value in Coria inside the distance rather than the moneyline.
Coria is a faster, more powerful striker with good takedown defense, as shown in his UFC debut. Gurule is 0-2 in the UFC and has underachieved, but he has good cardio and pressure. Coria should land the more damaging shots and win on the scorecards, but Gurule could make it competitive if he pushes a pace and uses clinch work. The chalk is a bit steep, so hesitant.
Paul agrees, calling Gurule possibly the worst flyweight on the roster. He notes Coria's impressive debut against a tough opponent and thinks Gurule's gas tank issues will be exposed. He expects Coria to win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Alden Coria, citing his size advantage (5'8" vs 5'5") and finishing ability. He notes Coria beat Alessandro Costa, who is a dangerous version of Gurule on the feet. He expects Coria to rally as the fight goes on and get a late rounds TKO, possibly with knees and uppercuts against the cage.
Zane picks Coria easily, noting that Gurule is a 'quadruple A' fighter who couldn't beat Osbourne or Susag. Coria is a better striker, at least as good a wrestler, and much busier. Gurule has no range game and can't fight outside of close range, making him a free target.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus Aguilar | 0 | 85 of 235 | 36% | 87 of 237 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 65 of 186 | 34% | 73 of 195 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesus Aguilar | 0 | 35 of 73 | 47% | 35 of 73 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 12 of 49 | 24% | 12 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jesus Aguilar | 0 | 20 of 65 | 30% | 20 of 65 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 20 of 64 | 31% | 22 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jesus Aguilar | 0 | 30 of 97 | 30% | 32 of 99 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 33 of 73 | 45% | 39 of 80 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus Aguilar | 85 of 235 | 36% | 35 of 164 | 25 of 43 | 25 of 28 | 76 of 224 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 65 of 186 | 34% | 43 of 157 | 12 of 18 | 10 of 11 | 59 of 174 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesus Aguilar | 35 of 73 | 47% | 12 of 47 | 12 of 15 | 11 of 11 | 30 of 67 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 12 of 49 | 24% | 5 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jesus Aguilar | 20 of 65 | 30% | 9 of 46 | 3 of 8 | 8 of 11 | 19 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 20 of 64 | 31% | 10 of 51 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 20 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jesus Aguilar | 30 of 97 | 30% | 14 of 71 | 10 of 20 | 6 of 6 | 27 of 93 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 33 of 73 | 45% | 28 of 65 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 63 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gurule (-220); Aguilar (+180)
Round 1
Jacob Montalvo is the referee. Aguillar wastes no time firing a big right hand. Aguilar goes on the attack with power punches. A hard leg kick lands for Aguilar, who moves forward behind punches. A solid uppercut lands during that barrage. Aguilar lands a calf kick. Agular puts Gurule on the defensive with a flurry of punches, then follows with a series of knees to the body against the fence. Gurule retreats to the center of the cage. Aguilar rushes forward and finishes a combination with a knee to the gut. Gurule counters a low kick with a right hand. guilar with a low kick, but Gurule answers with a combination. Aguilar jabs the body. A right gets through for Gurule. Gurule moves forward with a long combination this time, and Aguilar answers with a takedown. Gurule returns to his feet and breaks free. Aguilar with a straight right to the body. Gurule fires a jab. Aguliar looks to clinch but Gurule shucks him off. Gurule lands a kick to the body. Aguliar puts the pressure on and lands a knee in the clinch before the round expires.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar
Round 2
Aguilar gets an uppercut through his foe’s guard. An overhand right leads to the clinch, where Aguilar lands a knee in close. Gurule jabs the body, then moves in with a combination. Gurule lands the front kick to the body again. Another low kick lands for Aguilar. A counter left hook lands clean for Aguilar. Aguilar connects with a left hook in an ensuing exhange. Gurule continues to go back to the front kick. Aguilar lands a solid calf kick. Gurule blocks an overhand. Agular with a kick to the body, then avoids a counter offering from Gurule. Gurle jabs, then shucks off a takedown try from his opponent. Gurule lands a body kick. The pace is more methodical this round, which seems to favor Gurule. Aguilar kicks the leg then goes upstairs, but it’s blocked. An overhand by Aguilar doesn’t get through. Gurule lands a lead hand to the body. Aguilar changes levels and gets in deep on a takedown, but Gurule somehow defends it. Aguilar with an inside leg kick, and Gurule lands a right hand before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Round 3
The fight could be up for grabs in this round. Aguilar forces the action early, and he lands a combination. Gurule ducks a high kick, but an ensuing spinning kick to the body lands for the Mexican. Gurule punctuates a punching combination with a body kick. Aguilar makes Gurule buckle with a jab and drops him with a shovel hook. Aguilar tries to jump for a guillotine, but Gurule shoves him to the floor and tees off with ground-and-pound. Gurule works to the back, but Aguilar scrambles up. Gurule goes back to the front kick to the body. They clinch briefly, then separate. Gurule grabs a leg then lets it go to land a power shot. Gurule counters a low kick with a two-punch combination. Aguilar moves forward and lands a knee in the clinch. A right from Gurule lands clean. Aguilar swings wildly and makes Gurule move back with a left. Aguilar lands a knee in close and then a jab as he slides back. Aguilar goes low kick high kick. Augilar with another aggressive combination, and he snaps Gurule’s head back. Gurule lands some powerful punches of his own. Aguilar lands a couple jabs then shoots for a takedown. He spins to the back, but Gurule frees himself and the flyweights fire off offense in one last wild exchange before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Aguilar)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Aguilar)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Aguilar)
The Official Result
Jesus Santos Aguilar def. Luis Gurule via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Luis Gurule, noting he is a light-on-his-toes striker with forward pressure and decent power. He says Jesus Aguilar is a solid grappler with a knack for guillotines, but is a one-trick pony. He thinks everyone knows Jesus is looking for the guillotine, so if you expect it, you can avoid it. He calls Jesus a very good dog and says he'll probably try to find a prop bet like win inside distance or decision no action for Jesus.
Big Brady picks Gurule as the much more well-rounded fighter with better striking and wrestling. He notes Aguilar's only threat is the guillotine, and if Gurule watches his neck, he should dominate. He predicts Gurule wins by decision, keeping the fight standing and picking Aguilar apart.
Despite Gurule's previous knockout loss, the host sees this as a winnable matchup. He believes Aguilar's power shots are telegraphed, allowing Gurule to avoid danger, apply pressure, and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks underdog Jesus Aguilar, disagreeing with Gurule being a -200 favorite. He notes Aguilar's stocky, dangerous style and ability to trouble opponents, citing his KO of Shannon Ross. He sees Gurule as unproven in the UFC, coming off a KO loss, and believes Aguilar has shown more ability across distance.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 1 | 18 of 43 | 41% | 22 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 26 of 49 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 21 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:07 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 1 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 17 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 18 of 43 | 41% | 11 of 33 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 |
| Luis Gurule | 12 of 34 | 35% | 3 of 13 | 0 of 7 | 9 of 14 | 11 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 5 of 19 | 26% | 1 of 13 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 7 of 19 | 36% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 13 of 24 | 54% | 10 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Luis Gurule | 5 of 15 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gurule (-218), Osbourne (+180)
Round 1
His back likely against the wall in this flyweight pairing, Osbourne (12-8, 1 NC; 4-6 UFC) will try to put his three-fight skid in the past. He welcomes Factory X product Gurule (10-0, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion, with the latter working his way up the Fury FC circuit to reach the Contender Series last year. The 125ers will have referee Jason Herzog watching over the action to make sure nothing goes awry, and they elect to touch gloves first. Gurule leads off with a kid to the side, and Osbourne pays him back immediately with one. Gurule kicks low, and he darts away to the side and offers another. Osbourne kicks him in the side twice, and Gurule answers with a left hand and a high kick—both are blocked, but the sheer momentum budges him a bit. Osbourne walks Gurule down and punches him square in the face, and Gurule has to rebound off the fence to blink it out. “The Jamaican Sensation” goes after his foe with his rangy strikes, and he catches a body kick to come up with his other leg and boot Gurule in the face. They trade kicks on the outside, and Gurule ducks a punch and flips Osbourne all the way over to slam him down on his back. Gurule lands directly in side control and uses his shoulder to press down on Osbourne’s face and keep him flat on the canvas. Gurule looks for full mount, and he is bounced out of it while slashing down with an elbow. Osbourne pulls him back to half guard, and Gurule accepts this so he can elbow the Wisconsin native further. Gurule drops down some ground-and-pound, spurring Osbourne into desperately returning to his feet with 20 seconds left. Gurule drops for a single, and he lets it go to wing a left hand over the top. Gurule has a head kick bounce off the guard, and they clash with kicks at the same time to conclude the frame.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Round 2
A fist bump leads into the action, where Gurule lets loose three kicks in rapid succession. Gurule ducks a strike to come up with a left hand, and he dances away from a one-two but is still in range for a front kick. Osbourne catches his man at the end of a right, and he times a ducking Gurule with an uppercut. The strike stops Gurule from completing the takedown, as Osbourne breaks free and jabs out a few times. Both men sting one another with long, straight punches, and Osbourne blocks a kick to drive a one-two down the pipe. When Gurule offers out a kick, Osbourne snipes him from his distance. This happens a second time, a naked kick from the unbeaten fighter is met with a concussive left hand that sends him to the floor in a heap.
Osbourne is surprised at the success of his blow, and he has to commit to finishing the fight rather than walking off. He leaps on the side of his opponent and hammers him with a number of unanswered right hands. As the punches continue to mount, Herzog says enough is enough and calls a halt to the match.
Just like that, the upset has been completed, while Gurule has been firmly ejected from the ranks of the unbeaten. Meanwhile, Osbourne can rest a little easier with that win on his belt, having put Gurule down with what he called a “Dewey Cooper special.”
The Official Result
Ode Osbourne def. Luis Gurule R2 1:54 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo acknowledges Ode' Osbourne is better than his recent record and nearly won his last fight, but he thinks Osbourne may be dejected after three losses and that his grappling gaps remain. He picks Luis Gurule due to his pressure, power, and grappling, but warns that undefeated UFC debuts often lose and advises against betting. He calls it a trap fight where Osbourne could win out of nowhere.
Big Brady picks Luis Gurule despite not being impressed with him. He notes Ode' Osbourne has durability and cardio issues, often fading after the first round. He expects Gurule's solid cardio and durability to take over as the fight progresses, leading to a decision win.
Gurule is making his UFC debut with a 10-0 record and is expected to put on a pace and pressure that Osbourne cannot keep up with, leading to a third-round stoppage.
The Guru picks Luis Gurule, noting his undefeated record and grindy style. He criticizes Ode' Osbourne for losing to Ronaldo Rodriguez and having multiple submission losses. He expects a close decision but thinks the prospect will get the nod over Osbourne, who he considers not good enough.
Expert Picks (4)
AJ is confident in Rei Tsuruya, citing a clear grappling edge over Luis Gurule, who is a short-notice replacement. He notes that Gurule was dropped multiple times by Jesus Aguilar, whom Tsuruya was originally scheduled to fight. AJ expects Tsuruya to take Gurule's back and secure a rear-naked choke submission, as Tsuruya is a hyper-elite grappler with only one pro loss to Joshua Van.
AJ is confident Tsuruya will out-grapple Gurule, citing his high-level grappling, takedowns, and jiu-jitsu. He notes Tsuruya's only loss is to Joshua Van and compares him to a 'great value Tatsuro Taira'. He predicts Tsuruya will hit takedowns, control position, and win by decision or submission, specifically a rear naked choke in the first or second round.
Connor picks Rei Tsuruya, noting Gurule is not fast, dynamic, or powerful for flyweight, and cannot create separation. Tsuruya is faster and can impose his wrestling game. Gurule is also on short notice.
Zane picks Rei Tsuruya because he is a strong, determined wrestler who gave Joshua Van a hard fight. Luis Gurule is a meat-and-potatoes flyweight who struggles against athletic opponents willing to push pace. Tsuruya is faster and knows exactly what he needs to do.
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