Rei Tsuruya

Rei Tsuruya is a Japanese mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's women's flyweight division. Hailing from Japan, Tsuruya represents one of the country's most promising prospects in women's MMA, carrying forward a tradition of Japanese fighters who combine technical precision with an unrelenting competitive spirit.

Tsuruya built her foundation through an extensive background in wrestling and grappling arts, disciplines that have long been central to Japanese combat sports culture. Her training has taken her across multiple gyms where she refined her skills against elite competition, developing a style that blends aggressive takedown offense with sharp submission awareness. She earned recognition on the regional Asian MMA circuit before the UFC came calling, validating years of methodical development and the kind of quietly dominant performances that attract attention from the sport's most discerning scouts.

Inside the cage, Tsuruya is a grappling-first fighter who looks to control the pace through her wrestling. She has the instincts of a natural pressure fighter, constantly seeking to impose her will with takedowns and clinch work. Once on the mat, she is a capable submission threat with the scrambling ability to stay active and dangerous in transitional positions. Her ground game is complemented by enough striking presence to keep opponents honest in stand-up exchanges, making her a difficult puzzle to solve across all phases of the fight.

Since joining the UFC, Tsuruya has made a strong impression with technically sound performances that underscore why she was sought after by the organization. Fighting in the women's flyweight division, she has positioned herself as a live contender capable of troubling opponents at multiple levels of competition.

With the UFC's women's flyweight roster continuing to evolve, Tsuruya's combination of grappling credentials and competitive hunger makes her an intriguing figure in the division and a fighter to watch closely as she builds toward bigger opportunities at 125 pounds.

Stats last updated: September 15, 2026