Rinya Nakamura: First RTU Winner's UFC Debut Journey

UFC's Unique Journey: Thirty years on, few firsts remain.

Road to UFC: Last year, the initiative gave Asia's MMA elites a shot at a UFC contract.

[{"selector":"#anim-401ef5c5-0a89-4b2c-83a2-ad0af2a440d6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

RTU Season 1: Contracts were awarded after a thrilling final.

[{"selector":"#anim-0c8617a8-96d4-45eb-a819-d8932d0563be [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Historic Debut: Rinya Nakamura is the first RTU winner debuting at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs The Korean Zombie.

[{"selector":"#anim-e30ad520-8900-4b9b-891b-c2ba6e02108d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Advice from Nakamura: "Experience the Octagon, have fun."

[{"selector":"#anim-1635d415-018f-42ff-9158-a1893229eff2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Fight in Singapore: Nakamura's second bout in Singapore, recalling a more relaxed preparation.

[{"selector":"#anim-34d02f3b-c5cc-499b-891d-214267b4b9c6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Training Insights: Post RTU-win, Nakamura refined his skills, training with the best at American Top Team.

[{"selector":"#anim-7a6e55ae-59bb-4088-9456-cd40c2c4dde6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Facing Fernie Garcia: A fresh challenge against a contender who's seeking his first UFC win.

[{"selector":"#anim-c8b4835c-1676-45d2-9fb6-247fc09353cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Nakamura's Strategy: Banking on his speed, power, and fight IQ.

[{"selector":"#anim-4af42b0a-7a39-4f87-af79-1cf3afbe5469 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Victory Vision: Nakamura simulates multiple fight outcomes in his mind, aiming for a standout finish.

[{"selector":"#anim-c6718ae4-5a45-42af-8820-f21020c0a74f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Nakamura's Ambition: Though it's his first UFC roster fight, he eyes the summit of the MMA world.

[{"selector":"#anim-2fd41344-6260-47aa-b8fd-89b3289234ac [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Singapore Main Event: Nakamura's skills, honed in RTU, promise a bright UFC future.

[{"selector":"#anim-e8250ebd-bb41-453e-8dac-3ad1bf58c0fa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Note: Dive deeper into the "Full Singapore Fight Card Preview" or watch "RINYA NAKAMURA - FIRST RTU FINALIST TO MAKE UFC DEBUT | UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HOLLOWAY VS THE KOREAN ZOMBIE" for a comprehensive insight.

[{"selector":"#anim-77a1ffbe-ea06-41c4-b18e-666c9963d9f2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]