Surging bantamweight contender Brady Hiestand is looking to continue his streak against Rinya Nakamura at UFC Vegas 121 on Saturday inside the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Even though he’s on a three-fight win streak, Hiestand still heads into the bout as the betting underdog with +260 UFC odds, while Nakamura, who’s fresh off a bounce-back win, is going to be the -325 betting favorite.
UFC Vegas 121: Brady Hiestand vs. Rinya Nakamura Fight Odds
- Brady Hiestand: +300
- Rinya Nakamura: -375
UFC Vegas 121: Brady Hiestand vs. Rinya Nakamura: Tale of the Tape
| Brady Hiestand | Rinya Nakamura | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 27 | 31 |
| Height | 5’8” | 5’7” |
| Reach | 71 inches | 68.5 inches |
| Leg Reach | 39 inches | 37 inches |
| Record | 9-2 | 10-1 |
| Fighting Style | MMA | Wrestler |
| Finishing Rate | 78% | 70% |
UFC Vegas 121: Brady Hiestand vs. Rinya Nakamura: Prediction
A TKO/KO victory for Nakamura is my prediction over Hiestand because he’s the better overall striker with incredible power on his hands. Nakamura will also hold the edge in speed because of his in-and-out movement and elite footwork.
Even though Hiestand is the better grappler, Nakamura’s explosiveness and athleticism will help him stop the takedowns and avoid submission, as he can explode into a scrambling battle.
Once on the feet, Nakamura can fire rapid boxing combinations and even throw kicks to Hiestand’s body because he can fold opponents with a perfectly placed liver kick. Another major factor in this fight is the two-year layoff of Hiestand, who last fought in June 2024.
Brady Hiestand’s Recent Fight Results
Hiestand was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 29, and although he lost to Ricky Turcios, he still earned a UFC contract. Since then, he has won all his assignments inside the octagon, defeating Fernie Garcia, Batgerel Danaa, and Garrett Armfield.
Rinya Nakamura’s Recent Fight Results
Nakamura won the Road to UFC competition in February 2023. He made his UFC debut in August 2023 and has since recorded three wins (Garcia, Carlos Vera, and Nathan Fletcher) and one loss (Muin Gafurov).
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