Luis Gurule accepts UFC Macau bout

Luis Gurule has moved quickly from a win in Las Vegas to a new booking in Macau. MMA Mania reported on Thursday that Gurule accepted a short-notice fight against Japan’s Rei Tsuruya for UFC Macau next weekend, and other fight-tracking reports said he is replacing Jesus Aguilar after Aguilar was forced off the card by injury. The timing is the story. Gurule fought on May 16 at UFC Vegas 117 and beat Daniel Barez by unanimous decision in a three-round flyweight bout in Las Vegas. That leaves him turning around in two weeks for another 125-pound assignment on an international card. ### How fast is Gurule coming back? (mmamania.com) May 16 is the date of Gurule’s most recent appearance, when he defeated Barez at UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa. Reports on Thursday said he had now agreed to face Tsuruya at UFC Macau on May 30, making it a 14-day gap between fights. (cagesidepress.com) MMA Mania described the matchup as a short-notice addition to the Macau card. Sports Illustrated’s MMA vertical and Heavy both reported that Gurule was stepping in after Aguilar withdrew because of injury. ### Who is he replacing in the Tsuruya matchup? Jesus Aguilar was the original opponent attached to Tsuruya, according to Heavy and Sports Illustrated’s report on the booking change. (cagesidepress.com) Those reports said Aguilar is out because of injury, opening the spot for Gurule. Rei Tsuruya remains on the card at flyweight. (mmamania.com) The available reports do not add promotional comment from UFC, but multiple outlets matched on the same change in opponent and timing for the bout at Galaxy Arena. ### Where does this fight sit on the Macau schedule? Galaxy Macau said in a May 20 release that UFC fight week in Macau runs from May 28 through May 30 and culminates with UFC Fight Night: Song vs. (si.com) Figueiredo on Saturday, May 30, at Galaxy Arena. The same venue is also hosting two Road to UFC Season 5 opening-round cards on May 28 and May 29. The main event listed in Galaxy Macau’s materials is Song Yadong against Deiveson Figueiredo. Media OutReach’s version of the release said the May 30 event is sold out. ### What else is happening around UFC Macau fight week? (galaxymacau.com) Galaxy Macau said the promotion and the resort are co-presenting fan events including meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, open workouts and official merchandise sales during fight week. The company said those activities are scheduled around the three-event run at Galaxy Arena. (media-outreach.com) Macau Closer, citing the same fight-week push, said fans will have access to workout showcases and in-person appearances by UFC athletes. That places Gurule’s late addition onto a card that UFC and its local partner are already marketing as a multi-day destination event rather than a one-night show. ### What happens next for Gurule and Tsuruya? (galaxymacau.com) May 30 is the next date on the calendar. Gurule is now lined up to meet Tsuruya at Galaxy Arena in Macau on the UFC Fight Night card headlined by Song against Figueiredo, after the Road to UFC cards on May 28 and May 29. (galaxymacau.com) (macaucloser.com)