Rinya Nakamura explains that extra Henderson-on-Bisping-like punch on Toshiomi Kazama
LAS VEGAS – Rinya Nakamura beat Toshiomi Kazama with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Nakamura, who won the “Road to the UFC” bantamweight tournament.
Toshiomi Kazama vs. Rinya Nakamura
Result: Rinya Nakamura def. Toshiomi Kazama via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:33
Updated records: Nakamura (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Kazama (10-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: Nakamura has six of his seven wins by stoppage, including five in the first round.
Nakamura on the fight's key moment
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Rinya Nakamura of Japan punches Toshiomi Kazama of Japan in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“My plan was a knockout from leg strikes, but (it) just (wound up being) punching.”
Nakamura on his extra punch on the ground
Rinya Nakamura vs. Toshiomi Kazama
“He has a very strong heart, and I thought he might get up and stand up and fight again, soI needed to finish him completely. The last one was like that – make sure to finish this fight.”
Nakamura on what he wants next
“I think I need some rest because the tournament was so tough. Even though I finished every fight in the first round, it was tough for me mentally. I want to heal my (mind) … I want a little time, but I want to be back to the octagon soon.”
To hear more from Nakamura, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 218.
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