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Tag: Kyoji Horiguchi

  • “Will Be UFC Champion…” – Reactions To Kyoji Horiguchi’s Performance At UFC Vegas 113

    “Will Be UFC Champion…” – Reactions To Kyoji Horiguchi’s Performance At UFC Vegas 113

    After already capturing gold in Bellator and RIZIN, UFC Vegas 113’s Kyoji Horiguchi is aiming for the UFC flyweight championship to be next to add to his mantle.

    Horiguchi defeated Amir Albazi in a pivotal flyweight contenders’ matchup that served as the UFC Vegas 113 co-main event.

    The two felt each other out to start the fight, with Horiguchi looking to show off his speed. Albazi pinned Horiguchi to the fence on a couple of occasions during the round. Both also flashed their power, with Albazi at one point scoring a knockdown with a right hand.

    Albazi continued to look to go through Horiguchi’s speedy storm and press him. Horiguchi, however, landed a pair of right hands during the second round that wobbled Albazi. Horiguchi’s speed and footwork led him to take a notable lead in significant strikes through two rounds.

    Albazi’s corner encouraged him to be wrestling-heavy in the third, and Albazi got Horiguchi in his grasp in the round’s opening minute. Horiguchi would find his way out of Albazi’s hands, however, and did damage with several punches that busted up Albazi’s nose and put him on wobbly legs.

    Those ended up being the keys for Horiguchi, who won with two 30-27 scorecards and a 29-28.

    Kyoji Horiguchi Aims For Flyweight Title Shot After Defeating Amir Albazi At UFC Vegas 113

    Horiguchi has now won five straight and is unbeaten in his last eight. He made his UFC debut at UFC Qatar in November, scoring a third-round submission of Tagir Ulanbekov.

    Albazi was on a six-fight win streak at one point before injuries derailed his activity. This was his first fight since a loss to former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton in November 2024.

  • ‘The Greatest Threat To Alexandre Pantoja’s Title Reign’ – Fans & Fighters React To Kyoji Horiguchi Destroying Tagir Ulanbekov In UFC Return At UFC Qatar

    ‘The Greatest Threat To Alexandre Pantoja’s Title Reign’ – Fans & Fighters React To Kyoji Horiguchi Destroying Tagir Ulanbekov In UFC Return At UFC Qatar

    After nine years away from the Octagon, following a successful stint in both RIZIN and Bellator, Kyoji Horiguchi made his Octagon re-debut in a big way, putting up a strong performance in a third-round finish of Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Qatar.

    A quiet first round saw Horiguchi land the more effective strikes, despite Ulanbekov’s attempts to pin him against the fence. Horiguchi then stunned him with a right hand early in the second round, using that shot and his leg kick attacks to stumble him to the mat. Ulanbekov got back to his feet, but he would be tagged and brought back down.

    Horiguchi rocked Ulanbekov again in the third, landing a strong head kick and follow-up shots to knock Ulanbekov down. Horiguchi soon got to the back and under the neck, putting Ulanbekov to sleep and marking off a perfect UFC return for the former Bellator and RIZIN champion.

    Kyoji Horiguchi Wins UFC Return At UFC Qatar

    Horiguchi originally fought in the UFC between 2013 and 2016, at one point challenging Demetrious Johnson for the UFC flyweight championship. Horiguchi went on to score a pair of victories over Darrion Caldwell to become both the inaugural RIZIN bantamweight champion and the Bellator bantamweight champion, holding both belts simultaneously until injury forced him to vacate in November 2019.

    He attempted to win back both titles, re-claiming the RIZIN bantamweight title again, before becoming the inaugural RIZIN flyweight champion on New Year’s Eve 2023.

    This snaps a four-fight win streak for Ulanbekov, who entered this fight ranked No. 11 in the UFC’s flyweight rankings.

  • Alexandre Pantoja Credits Kyoji Horiguchi For His Success, Welcomes Future Title Clash

    Alexandre Pantoja Credits Kyoji Horiguchi For His Success, Welcomes Future Title Clash

    Alexandre Pantoja acknowledges Kyoji Horiguchi’s role in his success but remains open to a potential title clash if the opportunity arises.

    Last month, Horiguchi confirmed that he’ll be leaving RIZIN to return to the UFC after nine years. While the promotion has yet to officially announce the details of his comeback bout, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that Horiguchi is expected to face Tagir Ulanbekov in June.

    The potential matchup could take place at a UFC Fight Night event, rumored to mark the promotion’s debut in Azerbaijan.

    “The Typhoon” fought under the UFC banner for nearly four years, amassing a 7-1 record. His only setback came during a flyweight championship bout at UFC 186 in April 2015, where he fell victim to a last-second submission by then-champion Demetrious Johnson.

    Horiguchi has voiced his ambition to make history as the first Japanese fighter to claim UFC gold. To achieve that milestone, he’ll likely have to go through his longtime American Top Team stablemate and reigning 125-pound champion Alexandre Pantoja — a challenge the Brazilian says he’s more than willing to embrace.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, “The Cannibal” showered Horiguchi with praise, extolling the Japanese veteran for playing a pivotal role in his growth throughout his MMA journey.

    “Kyoji Horiguchi helped me get this belt,” Alexandre Pantoja said. “If I don’t have Kyoji Horiguchi, I don’t know if I have the opportunity to fight for the belt, I don’t know if I have the to be a champion one day. But I have Kyoji Horiguchi here on my side all my camps. And that’s what I say, if Kyoji Horiguchi helped me to conquer that, he helped my family too.”

    Pantoja went on to say that, as a gesture of gratitude, he would gladly welcome a championship clash with “The Typhoon” should he put together a winning streak in the UFC.

    “And all the time I have the chance to say thank you to him, I say Kyoji, thank you for everything you did for me. And it’s gonna be a pleasure if I fight with him for the belt. Just for the belt. I don’t believe I’d fight with Kyoji without the belt, but for the belt, we are talking about that. And it’s gonna be like a gift, this opportunity to fight with Kyoji for the belt. I hope I can still hold this belt for so long and wait Kyoji for that.”

    “The Cannibal” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 310 in December, where he delivered a commanding performance by submitting former RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura, marking his third successful title defense.

    Meanwhile, Horiguchi’s most recent outing came at RIZIN 49: Decade in December, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision win over Nkazimulo Zulu, extending his unbeaten run to six straight fights.

    He’s remained undefeated since April 2022, when he came up short in a unanimous decision against Patchy Mix at Bellator 279.

  • Former RIZIN, Bellator Champ Kyoji Horiguchi Returning To UFC

    Former RIZIN, Bellator Champ Kyoji Horiguchi Returning To UFC

    Kyoji Horiguchi, a former champion in multiple organizations, is preparing to make his return to the UFC.

    News reports earlier in the month suggested that Horiguchi was close to finalizing an agreement to rejoin the UFC after leaving in 2016. Confirmation of this move was strengthened when it was revealed he had recently completed a drug test required by the UFC’s anti-doping program.  

    Horiguchi initially left the UFC on a positive note, having won his last three fights. He then achieved further success in RIZIN, where he won a championship, and later in Bellator, where he also claimed a title.

    The skilled fighter from Japan has maintained a strong record, going undefeated in his last six fights since April 2022.  

    During his first period with the UFC, Horiguchi came close to winning the flyweight title, challenging Demetrious Johnson in 2015.

    However, he was defeated just moments before the end of the final round. Now, Horiguchi has announced during RIZIN 50 in Japan that he is giving up his flyweight championship in order to return to the UFC. As a result of this decision, RIZIN will organize a tournament to determine a new champion.

    “I’m going to the UFC,” Horiguchi said. “I’m going to become the first Japanese UFC champion.”

  • Possible Challenger For Pantoja Emerges As UFC ‘Close’ To Re-Signing Ex-Opponent Of Demetrious Johnson’s

    Possible Challenger For Pantoja Emerges As UFC ‘Close’ To Re-Signing Ex-Opponent Of Demetrious Johnson’s

    Alexandre Pantoja could soon have a new challenger for his UFC flyweight title, as the promotion is reportedly on the verge of re-signing a former contender to shake up the division.

    Pantoja defended his 125-pound title at UFC 310 last December, securing a dominant second-round submission win over promotional debutant and former RIZIN FF bantamweight champion Kai Asakura.

    According to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, the UFC is now reportedly “very close” to finalizing a deal to bring back Kyoji Horiguchi, marking his return to the promotion after nine years.

    Helwani reported that the UFC is in active discussions to schedule Horiguchi vs. Tagir Ulanbekov for a potential June clash, possibly at a Fight Night event that could mark the promotion’s historic debut in Azerbaijan.

    “The Typhoon” spent nearly four years on the UFC roster, compiling a decent 7-1 record. His lone defeat in the Octagon came at UFC 186 in April 2015, where he challenged MMA legend Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title, only to suffer a last-second submission loss.

    The 34-year-old Japanese powerhouse left the UFC on a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN FF, where he first captured the bantamweight title. He then had a brief stint in Bellator MMA, securing championship gold there as well. Upon returning to RIZIN, he cemented his legacy by claiming the flyweight belt.

    While it remains uncertain whether Horiguchi will need multiple fights or earn an immediate shot at the UFC flyweight title in his potential return, one thing is clear: he’s no stranger to the reigning champion. As a longtime training partner of ” The Cannibal’s” at American Top Team, Horiguchi is already well-versed in the champion’s skill set.

    “The Typhoon” last stepped into the ring at RIZIN 49: Decade in December, where he showcased his elite skills with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Nkazimulo Zulu

    Horiguchi boasts a impressive professional record of 35-5, with 15 wins by knockout and five by submission. Currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak, the Japanese standout hasn’t tasted defeat since April 2022, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Patchy Mix at Bellator 279.

  • Kyoji Horiguchi Calls Out UFC After Having Return Interest Dismissed: ‘They’re Not Putting Effort In The Flyweight Division’

    Since parting ways with the UFC after 2016, Kyoji Horiguchi has enjoyed continued success in MMA.

    He went on to hold the Bellator and RIZIN bantamweight championships simultaneously until getting injured, and he is now the current (and inaugural) RIZIN flyweight champion.

    With his ongoing triumphs outside of the Octagon, and given his success during his tenure with the UFC, some have wondered if Horiguchi would ever be given another shot at competing in the UFC. That question became more prominent when the fighter himself expressed interest in an Octagon comeback.

    If one were to ask Horiguchi now, however, that day will never come.

    In the latest episode of RIZIN Confessions, Horiguchi said he’s heard the UFC has no interest in signing him. He also called the promotion out for being focused on profits more than fighters, including a lack of promotion for the UFC’s flyweight division.

    Kyoji Horiguchi Says ‘Big Shot’ UFC Has No Interest In Signing Him

    “[Everyone at American Top Team is] like ‘Why can’t you get signed?’” Horiguchi said. “It’s a big mystery. ‘What? They don’t want Kyoji?’ They’re like, ‘That’s insane…if they don’t want you, I don’t know what else to do.’

    “They went public and now they’re big shots. They are prioritizing profit is what I think. Like, their fight purses are very low. There are only a limited amount of guys who can live off of it. They’re not putting in the efforts for the flyweight division.”

    The UFC and the flyweight division have had a tumultuous history since Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson was crowned the first champion at UFC 152 in September 2012. 

    After Johnson was finally dethroned by Henry Cejudo at UFC 227 in August 2018 and traded to ONE Championship, there were rumors that the UFC was looking to close the flyweight division.

    Horiguchi competed in the Octagon eight times between late 2013 and late 2016, going 7-1. His sole loss came against Johnson, challenging for the flyweight title at UFC 186 and getting submitted with just one second remaining in the fight.

    Endeavor, the UFC’s parent company since 2016, became a publicly traded company in 2021 and was merged with WWE to form TKO in 2023.

    Horiguchi will face former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis at RIZIN 47 on June 9. This will be a rematch of their Bellator bantamweight title fight from Bellator 272, which saw Pettis pull off a comeback with a spinning-backfist knockout in the fourth round to retain the title.

  • Cyborg, Pettis & Horiguchi Return As Bellator Heads Back To Hawaii

    Bellator MMA is set to return to Hawaii next month and will be bringing some blockbuster matchups with it to the islands.

    The promotion hasn’t headed to the off-the-mainland state since it held Bellator 235 and 236 on consecutive nights in 2019. Now, with a pandemic that shut down travel, sport, and large gatherings across the world beginning to die down, the mixed martial arts spotlight is set to return to Hawaii.

    As first reported by KHON2, Bellator will once again be putting on two events on back-to-back dates. As well as hosting Bellator 278 on April 22, the Neal S. Blaisdell Center will see Bellator 279 go down the very next night.

    While there’s yet to be any fights added to the opening night, Bellator 279 is already shaping up to be a must-watch card. With multiple title fights set to go down, two of Bellator’s top champions will return to action.

    Cris Cyborg (25-2), a former Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and UFC featherweight titleholder, is set to make the fourth defense of her 145-pound Bellator gold. Her latest victory saw her overcome Sinead Kavanagh at UFC 271.

    Challenging her in Honolulu will be familiar foe Arlene Blencowe (15-8). Since falling short of dethroning Cyborg in 2020, the Australian 38-year-old has won back-to-back contests against Dayana Silva and Pam Sorensen, earning herself a second crack at the belt.

    Elsewhere, as part of the $1 million Bantamweight Grand Prix, Sergio Pettis (22-5) will put his 135-pound title on the line against Raufeon Stots (17-1). Since leaving the UFC for Bellator in 2019, “The Phenom” has built a four-fight win streak that includes a championship crowning versus Juan Archuleta and a successful defense and knockout of the year contender against the great Kyoji Horiguchi.

    Like Pettis, Stots has remained unbeaten on the Bellator stage. In five appearances, “Supa” has extended his MMA win streak to nine and defeated the likes of Magomed Magomedov and Josh Hill. In 18 career fights, Stots’ one defeat came at the hands of top-10 UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili.

    In another notable bout, Horiguchi (29-4) will make his third appearance in the Bellator cage against Patchy Mix (15-1). That clash will mark another first-round Grand Prix context. Elsewhere, Hawaii’s Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-1) will square off against Justine Kish (7-5).

    The currently announced Bellator 279 card (main card set for 9:30 p.m. ET) is as follows:

    Sergio Pettis vs. Raufeon Stots – Bantamweight title bout

    Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe – Featherweight title bout

    Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Patchy Mix – Bantamweight bout

    Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Justine Kish – Flyweight bout

    Fights for Bellator 278 (main card set for 9 p.m. ET) are yet to be announced.

    Are you excited for Bellator’s return to Hawaii next month?

  • Bellator 272 Results & Highlights: Pettis KOs Horiguchi

    Bellator 272 took place tonight from the Mohegan Sun Arena with a title fight in one of their most challenging divisions.

    Sergio Pettis took on the former Bellator MMA and RIZIN bantamweight champion, Kyoji Horiguchi. This was Pettis’ first title defense since winning it from Juan Archuleta at Bellator 258. Fans might remember that when Horiguchi held the two coveted 135-pound titles he had to relinquish them when he was injured in 2019. 

    Oddly enough, the injury happened just before the end of the year and before COVID-19 rocked the world. It gave Horiguchi enough time to rest and return to action at the end of 2020 at RIZIN 26 where he avenged his non-title fight loss to Kai Asakura.

    Check out the highlights from the main event between Sergio Pettis and Kyoji Horiguchi below followed by the Bellator 272 fast results!

    BELLATOR MMA 272: PETTIS VS. HORIGUCHI Quick Results


    MAIN CARD

    Bantamweight Championship Bout: Sergio Pettis © def. Kyoji Horiguchi via knockout (spinning backfist): R4, 3:24

    Jeremy Kennedy def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Josh Hill def. Jared Scoggins via knockout (punch): R2, 0:56

    Johnny Eblen def. Collin Huckbody via TKO (punches): R1, 1:11

    PRELIMINARY CARD

    Alexander Shabliy def. Bobby King via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Kai Kamaka III def. John DeJesus via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Levan Chokheli def. Vinicius de Jesus via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)

    Justin Montalvo def. Jacob Bohn via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28×2)

    Mike Hamel def. Killys Mota via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

    Spike Carlyle def. Dan Moret via technical submission (rear-naked choke): R3, 2:58

    Kyle Crutchmer def. Oliver Enkamp via unanimous decision (30-27×3)