Luis Gurule will make a quick return to the Octagon next week at UFC Macau. He will face Rei Tsuruya after original opponent Jesus Aguilar withdrew due to injury.
Luis Gurule will step back into the Octagon on short notice at UFC Macau after original opponent Jesus Aguilar was forced out of their scheduled flyweight bout due to injury. Japan's Rei Tsuruya has been tapped as the replacement, setting up a compelling stylistic clash at 125 pounds.
Gurule, known as "Grim," carries an 11-3 record into the contest. The 32-year-old orthodox striker out of Factory X in the United States stands five-foot-five with a 64-inch reach and brings genuine offensive punch to the division, averaging 5.7 significant strikes per minute. His output makes him one of the busier fighters in the flyweight class, though his 43 percent striking accuracy leaves room for opponents to exploit.
Tsuruya enters at just 24 years old with a polished 10-1 record that has announced his arrival as a serious flyweight prospect. The Japanese fighter, representing The Blackbelt Japan, is slightly taller at five-foot-six and holds a meaningful reach advantage at 68 inches. Where Gurule relies on volume striking, Tsuruya's game is built around a suffocating grappling attack — he averages an eye-catching 5.06 takedowns per 15 minutes and nearly two submission attempts per 15 minutes, while landing his strikes at a 52 percent accuracy rate.
Aguilar, who had gone 12-4 in his career, will now have to wait for another opportunity after the injury forced him from the card.
Why it matters
- Tsuruya's elite takedown rate against Gurule's aggressive striking output creates a genuine striker-versus-grappler dynamic
- A win for Tsuruya would further cement his status as a flyweight prospect worth watching on the global stage
- Gurule's short-notice acceptance keeps him active and could reward him with a high-profile scalp if he can neutralize the grappling threat
