Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Rinya Nakamura (red gloves) fights Muin Gafurov (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher fight at UFC Vegas 108!

Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Rinya Nakamura (red gloves) fights Muin Gafurov (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The bantamweight division has been a breeding ground for explosive talent and rising stars. From legends like Dominick Cruz to current champion Merab Dvalishvili, this 135 pound weight class consistently delivers some of the most technical and entertaining fights in MMA. Every fight matters, and every loss can set a fighter back months in the rankings race.

This weekend at UFC Vegas 108, two promising bantamweights will step into the octagon with something to prove. Both Rinya Nakamura and Nathan Fletcher are coming off disappointing losses and need a statement win to get their careers back on track. The featured prelim bout represents a crossroads moment for both fighters: win and move forward, or lose and potentially fade into the background of an increasingly competitive division.

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher Preview

Rinya Nakamura brings an impressive 9-1 record to the cage, with his only loss coming recently against Muin Gafurov. The Japanese fighter stands 5’7″ with a 68 inch reach and fights from the southpaw stance. Nakamura lands 3.10 significant strikes per minute with 51% accuracy while absorbing just 1.70 strikes. His striking defense sits at a solid 64%.

What really sets Nakamura apart is his wrestling pedigree. As a former Olympic hopeful, he averages 2.63 takedowns per fight with an incredible 81% accuracy rate. Even more impressive is his perfect 100% takedown defense, meaning nobody has taken him down in his UFC career. He also averages 1.5 submission attempts per fight, showing he’s dangerous on the ground.

Nathan Fletcher comes in with a 9-2 record and similar physical dimensions at 5’7″ with a 70 inch reach. The English fighter is slightly more active on the feet, landing 3.44 significant strikes per minute with better 60% accuracy. He absorbs the same 1.70 strikes per minute as Nakamura but has slightly worse striking defense at 61%.

Fletcher attempts 3.53 takedowns per fight but only succeeds 38% of the time. His takedown defense sits at 50%, which could be problematic against Nakamura’s elite wrestling. However, Fletcher has seven career submission wins and averages 0.7 submission attempts per fight, suggesting he’s comfortable working off his back.

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher MMA Betting Odds

The sportsbooks have made their position clear on this matchup. According to Fanduel, Rinya Nakamura opens as a heavy favorite at -405. Meanwhile Nathan Fletcher sits as the underdog at +320. These odds suggest the betting public and oddsmakers believe Nakamura’s wrestling advantage will be the deciding factor.

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The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is lower and the odds (+142) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -182.

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher Predictions And Picks

This fight comes down to whether Nathan Fletcher can keep it standing and use his superior striking output. His debut against Caolan Loughran showed he has the heart and cardio to push a relentless pace. If he can stuff Nakamura’s takedowns early and make the Japanese fighter work, fatigue could become a factor.

However, Rinya Nakamura’s wrestling credentials are too impressive to ignore. His loss to Gafurov came when he chose to stand and trade instead of using his strongest weapon. Expect him to return to his wrestling roots and control Fletcher on the ground.

If we bet on the fight, we are going with Rinya Nakamura to win the fight via unanimous decision.

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Nathan Fletcher

Rinya Nakamura

UFC Vegas 108

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!