Rei Tsuruya will make his official UFC debut on June 29th. He has been matched with Carlos Hernandez in a flyweight fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
With the vast majority of cards being held at the Apex Centre the Japanese flyweight will have the opportunity to fight in front of a big live audience at UFC 303. The card is being headlined by Conor McGregor who makes his long awaited comeback against Michael Chandler.
Tsuruya (9-0) is a former flyweight King of Pancrase. He won the Road to UFC flyweight tournament earlier this year to earn himself a long term contract with Dana White’s promotion.
Hernandez (9-3) will be facing an undefeated Japanese opponent for the second fight in quick succession. At UFC Vegas 83 the American took on Tatsuro Taira and was stopped in the second round.
He earned his octagon opportunity after impressing on Dana White’s Contender Series. Hernandez has to wins from his four previous UFC outings, both came courtesy of a decision.
鶴屋怜 @mma_rei のオクタゴンデビュー戦決定✨️#UFC303
📅6月30日（日）
🆚カルロス・ヘルナンデス
🏟️T-Mobileアリーナ#ITFW #インターナショナルファイトウイーク pic.twitter.com/jhuDdmeFoT— UFC Japan (@ufc_jp) April 23, 2024
Most marketable
This event has the potential to be the biggest of the year because it features McGregor (22-6) who is without doubt the most marketable fighter on the entire roster. The Irishman hasn’t fought since 2021 but has managed to remain in the spotlight, starring in the recent remake of the Road House movie.
He takes on former Bellator lightweight champion Chandler (23-8) in a match that is set for 170lbs. Both men are coming off losses to Dustin Poirier and they were coaches on TUF 31 which was broadcast last year.
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Featherweight fight
While this month’s historic UFC 300 card was stacked with champions past and present it doesn’t look like there will be any titles on the line on June 29th. So far eight fights have been confirmed with McGregor and Chandler the only big names involved.
The always entertaining Cub Swanson (29-13) has been matched with Andre Fili (23-11-0-1) in a featherweight fight. Meanwhile half Thai veteran Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12) takes on Gillian Robertson (13-8) in a strawweight bout.
UFC 303, Las Vegas, June 9th
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler (Welterweight)
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson (Bantamweight)
Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-André Barriault (Middleweight)
Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson (Strawweight)
Andre Fili vs. Cub Swanson (Featherweight)
Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez (Flyweight)
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (Light Heavyweight)
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson (Bantamweight)
