Takeru Uchida Sinks in Quick Rear-Naked Choke at RTU5
Takeru Uchida wasted no time making an impact at Road to UFC 5.
In his flyweight bout against Baluyot, Uchida quickly found the back and locked in a rear-naked choke, securing an impressive submission win and giving fans one of the sharpest finishes of the event.
At Road to UFC, fighters do not just need to win. They need to stand out. Uchida did exactly that with a quick, clean, and confident finish.
Uchida Made It Look Smooth
A rear-naked choke may be one of the most common submissions in MMA, but getting to that position quickly takes skill.
Uchida showed control, timing, and calmness once the opening appeared. He did not rush wildly. He took the position, secured the back, and finished the choke before Baluyot could escape.
That kind of execution is important in a tournament setting. Fighters are under pressure, but Uchida looked composed and ready for the moment.
A Big Statement at Flyweight
Flyweight fights are usually fast, technical, and full of movement. That makes quick submissions even more impressive because opponents often scramble well and create space quickly.
Uchida’s ability to close the fight with a rear-naked choke shows he can capitalize when the fight hits the mat. It also sends a message to future opponents: one mistake can be enough.
For a fighter trying to move forward in Road to UFC, that is the kind of warning you want to send.
Baluyot Had No Room to Recover
Baluyot came into the fight with his own chance to make a statement, but Uchida did not allow him much time to settle.
Once the grappling exchange turned dangerous, Uchida moved fast. In MMA, that is often the difference between almost getting a finish and actually securing one.
Baluyot may have entered with confidence, but Uchida’s pressure and submission threat changed the fight quickly.
A quick finish at Road to UFC can change a fighter’s momentum.
Uchida now moves forward with attention, confidence, and a highlight-reel submission attached to his name. That matters because every fighter in this tournament is trying to prove they belong on a bigger stage.
A decision win is valuable. A fast submission is even better.
It gives fans something to remember and gives future opponents something to worry about.
Final Thoughts
Takeru Uchida’s quick rear-naked choke at RTU5 was exactly the kind of performance fighters dream about in a tournament setting.
He stayed sharp, took advantage of the opportunity, and finished the fight before Baluyot could recover.
Road to UFC is about making the most of big moments, and Uchida did just that.
With this submission win, he has officially put the flyweight field on notice.
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