Nakamura vs Schmid: Japan's Power Striker Meets a Tall New Zealander
Keiichiro Nakamura and Ollie "The Hungarian Stallion" Schmid have something unusual in common: UFC.com credits each with zero takedowns and zero submission attempts. Their featherweight bout on the Nov. 7 UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs Brady card at Meta APEX should be decided on the feet.
Japan's Nakamura (8-1), 27, is a striker through and through. Ninety-three percent of his significant strikes land standing, with 4% in the clinch and 3% on the ground. He lands 4.48 significant strikes per minute at 42% accuracy and absorbs 4.28, with 64% striking defense. The number that jumps off the page is his 0.83 knockdown average. Six of his wins came by knockout and one by decision. If anyone does try to wrestle him, he stops 79% of takedown attempts. His average fight runs 12:04.
New Zealand's Schmid (4-3), 25, has been in the UFC since May 2026. Three of his four wins came by knockout (75%), all in the first round; the other came by decision. Like Nakamura, he does his work standing: 100% of his significant strikes come on the feet. The red flags are on defense: he absorbs 7.90 significant strikes per minute with 45% striking defense. Offensively, he lands 3.23 per minute at 30% accuracy. His average UFC fight lasts just 2:47.
- Height: Schmid is 5-foot-11, three inches taller than the 5-foot-8 Nakamura.
- Reach: Nakamura measures 70.5 inches; no reach is listed for Schmid.
- Output: 4.48 strikes landed per minute for Nakamura, 3.23 for Schmid.
- Damage taken: 4.28 per minute for Nakamura, 7.90 for Schmid.
- Knockdowns: 0.83 average for Nakamura, 0.00 for Schmid.
Schmid has the frame and a habit of ending things early. Nakamura has the volume, the defense and the knockdown power. The question: can Schmid land something big in the opening minutes, or will Nakamura find the gaps in a defense that gives up nearly eight strikes a minute?
The card begins at 2 p.m. local time, with the main card at 5 p.m. Schmid's fights average under three minutes, so latecomers may only catch the result. Get your seat: UFC Fight Night tickets for Nov. 7 in Las Vegas.