Rei Tsuruya continued his rise at UFC Shanghai with a dominant first-round submission win over Kevin Borjas. The Japanese flyweight controlled the fight on the ground before securing a rear-naked choke at 4:14 of Round 1. The victory gives Tsuruya another important win and puts him closer to the UFC flyweight rankings.
Rei Tsuruya Controls Kevin Borjas Early
Rei Tsuruya 12-1-0 entered the fight looking to build on his first-round submission victory over Luis Gurule earlier this year. He quickly showed that his grappling would be the main focus against Kevin Borjas.
Tsuruya closed the distance and brought the fight to the mat before Borjas could establish his boxing. Once on the ground, the Japanese fighter stayed patient and continued improving his position instead of rushing for the finish.
That approach eventually gave Tsuruya the opening he needed. He secured the rear-naked choke at 4:14 of the first round, forcing Borjas to submit.
Kevin Borjas Struggles to Stop the Grappling
Kevin Borjas 11-6-0 entered Shanghai with momentum after beating Andre Lima in June. His boxing and footwork were expected to give Tsuruya problems if the fight stayed standing.
That opportunity never really developed. Tsuruya made sure the contest was fought where he had the biggest advantage, repeatedly using his grappling to remove Borjas from his preferred striking range.
The result shows why Tsuruya is becoming such an interesting prospect at 125 pounds. Borjas had the striking tools to make the fight competitive, but Tsuruya’s ability to force the action onto the mat changed the matchup completely.
Tsuruya Keeps Building Momentum
The victory is Tsuruya’s second straight UFC win after spending 14 months away from competition following his first professional defeat against Joshua Van.
He returned in May and submitted Luis Gurule in the opening round. He then accepted a quick turnaround against Borjas and produced another submission, showing that the long layoff has not slowed his development.
Tsuruya also entered the fight with a clear goal. He wanted a win over a fighter with strong standing credentials because he believed it could move him toward the UFC flyweight rankings.
That plan worked. Another finish against quality opposition should make it difficult for the UFC to overlook him when the next group of ranked contenders is being considered.
Tsuruya’s Grappling Remains His Biggest Weapon
The biggest takeaway from Rei Tsuruya vs Kevin Borjas is how effectively Tsuruya can turn a fight into a grappling contest.
He did not spend unnecessary time trading with Borjas. Instead, he closed the distance, secured control and worked through the positions until the submission became available.
That style could become increasingly dangerous as Tsuruya faces stronger opponents. The top 10 flyweight fighters in UFC history provide useful context for the level of competition Tsuruya will eventually need to overcome if he wants to establish himself among the division’s best.
What This Means for Kevin Borjas
The loss is a setback for Borjas after his victory over Lima earlier this year. He had an opportunity to follow that result with another strong performance against a highly regarded prospect, but Tsuruya’s wrestling and submission game proved too difficult to handle.
Borjas will now need to work his way back into contention. His striking remains a valuable weapon, but the Shanghai result gives future opponents a clear reason to test his defensive grappling.
A strong rebound win could put Borjas back on track, especially in a flyweight division where one or two victories can quickly change a fighter’s position.
Tsuruya Could Be Ready for a Bigger Test
Tsuruya has now finished his last two opponents inside the first round. That kind of consistency makes a step up in competition the logical next move.
The UFC may now look to match him with a ranked flyweight or another established contender who can test his grappling against a higher level of opposition. The UFC rankings update will be worth watching as the division adjusts after the latest results.
Tsuruya is still only 24, which gives him plenty of time to develop further. If he continues winning at this pace, the Japanese prospect could become one of the division’s more serious contenders rather than simply another promising name.
Final Thoughts
Rei Tsuruya vs Kevin Borjas ended exactly where Tsuruya wanted it to, on the ground. The Japanese fighter controlled the contest, secured the rear-naked choke and forced Borjas to tap at 4:14 of the first round.
The result moves Tsuruya to 12-1-0 and gives him back-to-back first-round submission victories. It also strengthens the case for a bigger challenge in his next UFC appearance.
Borjas drops to 11-6-0 and will need to rebuild after failing to keep Tsuruya away from his strongest weapon. For Tsuruya, however, the path is becoming much clearer. Another victory over stronger opposition could soon put him directly into the flyweight rankings conversation.
