“Grim” is right back at it.
Fresh off his win at UFC Vegas 117, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight Luis Gurule is stepping up on short notice to face Japanese prospect Rei Tsuruya at UFC Macau next weekend (Sat., May 30, 2026).
Gurule replaces Mexican Flyweight Jesus Aguilar, who was originally scheduled to fight Tsuruya before being forced to withdraw from the matchup.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 15: Luis Gurule poses on the scale during the official weigh-in for UFC Fight Night at Meta APEX on May 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Gurule (11-3) was essentially fighting for his UFC future this past weekend after beginning his Octagon career 0-3 — and he delivered in a big way.
“Grim” dominated Daniel Barez at UFC Vegas 117 to earn his first UFC victory and secure his place on the roster after entering the fight under serious pressure.
Before the win, Gurule had dropped decisions to Alden Coria and Aguilar, while also suffering a stoppage loss to Ode Osbourne in his promotional debut (watch highlights).
Now, less than two weeks later, he gets a huge opportunity against one of the promotion’s better Flyweight prospects.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Rei Tsuruya of Japan poses on the scale during the UFC 313 ceremonial weigh-in at Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Prior to that setback, the 23-year-old Japanese grappling specialist impressed in his UFC debut by defeating Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision.
Tsuruya originally earned his UFC contract by winning Road to UFC Season 2 and remains one of the more highly regarded Flyweight prospects in Asia.
As for Gurule, this is a massive opportunity to completely flip the narrative surrounding his UFC career.
What looked like a likely roster cut just a week ago has suddenly turned into back-to-back UFC appearances and a chance to derail a highly touted prospect overseas.
Here is what UFC Macau looks like:
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson FigueiredoZhang Mingyang vs. Alonzo MenifieldSergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison TeixeiraKai Asakura vs. Cameron SmothermanJake Matthews vs. Carlston HarrisAlex Perez vs. SumudaerjiYiSak Lee vs. Luis DiasDing Meng vs. José HenriqueAoriqileng vs. Cody HaddonRei Tsuruya vs. Luis GuruleAngela Hill vs. Xiong JingnanZhu Kangjie vs. Rodrigo VeraLoma Lookboonmee vs. Jaqueline Amorim
To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.