MMA Match Preview: Rinya Nakamura (9-1) vs. Nathan Fletcher (9-2)

The Featured Prelim bout of UFC Vegas 108 brings together two rising bantamweight prospects as Rinya Nakamura (9-1) faces off against Nathan Fletcher (9-2) on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Both fighters are looking to rebound from recent losses and reassert themselves in the stacked 135-pound division.

Fight Details

Event: UFC Vegas 108 – Taira vs. Park

Bout: Rinya Nakamura vs. Nathan Fletcher

Division: Bantamweight (135 lbs)

Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025

Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV

Start Time: Approx. 6:20 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass

Fighter Profiles

🇯🇵 Rinya Nakamura – “Hybrid”

Record: 9-1 (3-1 UFC)

Height: 5’7″ Reach: 68.5″

Style: Freestyle wrestling, explosive striking

Team: LDH Martial Arts

Last Fight: Lost via decision to Muin Gafurov

Strengths: Olympic-level wrestling, KO power, top control

Weaknesses: Striking defense, tendency to abandon grappling

🇬🇧 Nathan Fletcher

Record: 9-2 (1-1 UFC)

Height: 5’7″ Reach: 70″

Style: Submission grappling, counter striking

Team: Next Generation MMA (Liverpool)

Last Fight: Lost via split decision to Caolan Loughran

Strengths: Slick submissions (7 career subs), cardio, durability

Weaknesses: Takedown defense, limited striking power

Tactical Breakdown

Nakamura will likely return to his wrestling roots after a failed striking experiment against Gafurov. His ability to dictate where the fight takes place is his biggest asset. Fletcher must stay upright and use his reach advantage to frustrate Nakamura’s entries. His submission game is dangerous, but only if he can reverse or scramble from bottom. Expect Nakamura to push the pace early, aiming to grind Fletcher down with top control and ground-and-pound.

This bout is a classic grappler vs. grappler matchup, but Nakamura’s Olympic-caliber wrestling gives him a clear edge in positional control. Fletcher’s submission threat is real, but he’ll struggle to initiate offense from his back. If Nakamura avoids overcommitting on the feet and sticks to his strengths, he should dominate.