Preview: UFC Fight Night 218 Prelims

Bantamweights

Rinya Nakamura (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Toshiomi Kazama (10-2, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Nakamura (-425), Kazama (+350)

When the 32-man field for this “Road to UFC” tournament was announced, Nakamura was one of the more notable prospects. An Olympic hopeful as a wrestler for Japan with an under-23 world championship to his name, Nakamura chose to pivot to mixed martial arts once the Tokyo games were delayed. Indeed, Nakamura impressed as a talent in his two fights during this tournament, using that wrestling against Gugun Gusman and then marching down and knocking out countryman Shohei Nose. Nakamura is one half of an all-Japanese final, as he takes on Kazama, a former Pancrase standout. The younger fighter in this pairing, Kazama had a solid outing in the bantamweight quarterfinals of this tournament, shutting down the game of Keremuaili Maimaitituoheti for a clear decision win before his opponent’s weight issues gave him an automatic berth in the final. Kazama is at his best as a wrestler and grappler, which makes this a bit of a tough ask. Even if he is the craftier fighter and can stall out his opponent, Nakamura should be able to find a lot of success with aggression and horsepower with the ability to outwrestle Kazama as a fallback. The pick is Nakamura via decision.

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