Rinya Nakamura’s march toward bantamweight relevance continues on March 14, when the Japanese standout meets Brazilian technician Luan Lacerda at UFC Vegas 114 inside the Meta APEX. Slotted on the promotion’s Paramount+ era slate, this matchup could be one to look out for on this sneaky good fight card on March 14th. Nakamura, a decorated wrestler with real knockout power, gets another chance to show that his recent UFC learning curve has only sharpened an already dangerous offensive arsenal.

Nakamura’s resume speaks to the explosive potential of his game when he finds his rhythm. Multiple first-round finishes, a quick knockout on the Road to UFC circuit, and a body-kick stoppage in 2025 underline a fighter who does not need much time to separate opponents from their senses. Even in defeat against seasoned competition, he proved he can hang over three hard rounds, adding valuable minutes to a skill set that was once defined almost entirely by early finishes.

Article Continues Below

Lacerda represents the kind of crafty test that will force Nakamura to balance aggression with composure. The Brazilian brings a slick submission game and a comfort off his back that can punish careless entries, particularly from wrestlers who shoot without proper setup. If Nakamura overextends on his power combinations or dives on takedowns without clearing the legs, Lacerda’s counters and opportunistic grappling could turn momentum in an instant.

Given that contrast, the tactical battle should be clear from the opening horn. Nakamura will look to dictate exchanges behind sharp, straight punches and well-timed level changes, aiming to keep positions safe while still threatening big damage. Lacerda, by comparison, will gladly welcome scrambles, pull guard if necessary, and hunt for transitions that expose the neck or arms of an opponent, sometimes too eager to finish. The winner not only secures a key victory in a packed division but also sends a message on a card that is quickly stacking up with violence-minded matchups.

Confirmed Fights for UFC Vegas 114

  • Vitor Petrino vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (Heavyweight)
  • Brad Tavares vs. Eryk Anders (Middleweight)

     

  • Oumar Sy vs. Ion Cutelaba (Light Heavyweight)
  • Bruno Silva vs. Lone’er Kavanagh (Flyweight)

     

  • Amanda Lemos vs. Gillian Robertson (Women’s Strawweight)

     

  • Bia Mesquita vs. Montserrat Rendon (Women’s Bantamweight)

     

  • Elijah Smith vs. Su Young You (Bantamweight)
  • Rinya Nakamura vs. Luan Lacerda (Bantamweight)