Tag: Kyoji Horiguchi

Kyoji Horiguchi explains UFC return, weighs in on fighting teammate Alexander Pantoja

Ex-RIZIN and Bellator champ Kyoji Horiguchi is back in the UFC and has his sights set on gold – even if it means going through a teammate.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] is back in the UFC and there’s only one thing on his mind.

A former Bellator and RIZIN champion, Horiguchi (34-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC) want to add UFC gold to his trophy case.

“I wanted to go back to the UFC always. Every time, I was thinking about that.” Horiguchi told MMA Junkie at American Top Team on Tuesday. “I need to get the belt. But my friend has a belt. It’s going to be a good fight.”

Horiguchi, 34, returns June 21 in Baku, Azerbaijan vs. Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC). It’ll mark his first UFC fight since a November 2016 victory over Ali Bagautinov. His only loss in the promotion was a failed title bid in the UFC 186 main event against Demetrious Johnson in April 2015.

“I know every situation (now),” Horiguchi said, when asked about how he’s changed since that fight one decade ago. “I’ve improved a lot. I’d like to try that technique in the UFC.”

While it’s yet to be announced by the UFC, a rumored title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France seems to be next.

Horiguchi and Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) are long time training partners at ATT. According to Horiguchi, the two fighters aren’t opposed to having to fight one another, however. Their home gym, which is the training home of dozens of active UFC and PFL fighters, has been through similar scenarios many times before.

“Yeah (we’re) fighters and friends,” Horiguchi said. “Friends can make good money. It’s going to be good. If we decide to fight, maybe (we train) in separate rooms with a little bit more specific training.”

Horiguchi has competed both at flyweight and bantamweight throughout his career. Right now, 125 pounds is the only division in his plans, however.

“I need to get the belt, so flyweight,” Horiguchi said. “I’m not sure. Right now, I’m focused on flyweight.”

Alexandre Pantoja or Kyoji Horiguchi? Demetrious Johnson would favor UFC champion

Demetrious Johnson doesn’t see Kyoji Horiguchi being the one to dethrone UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

[autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag] doesn’t see [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] being the one to dethrone UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag].

Horiguchi (34-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has re-signed with the UFC after vacating his RIZIN flyweight title. The former UFC 125-pound title challenger, former Bellator champ and former RIZIN champion will return to the octagon for the first time since November 2016.

After failing in his first UFC title bid against Johnson in 2015, Horiguchi hopes he can become the first Japanese UFC champ. However, with Pantoja at the top, Johnson doesn’t think Horiguchi can beat him.

“I think Pantoja does (win),” Johnson told Submission Radio. “I think Pantoja could take a shot. Pantoja hasn’t been dropped, he hasn’t been hurt in all of his UFC career from what I’ve seen. He’s had those great battles against him vs. Brandon Moreno, and right there that’ll be a great matchup. Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Brandon Moreno.

“I mean, there were some matches to be made in the UFC flyweight division without Kyoji Horiguchi ever fighting Alex Pantoja. But if he wants to fight for the belt, he’s going to have to fight Pantoja, and I think when it comes down to it, it’s going to be Pantoja. I think Pantoja, he has a hard chin, he has great grappling.”

Johnson questions whether Horiguchi will even fight Pantoja considering that they’re training partners at American Top Team.

“Now for the opportunity for him to come back to the UFC, but one of his main training partners, Alex Pantoja, is the champion,” Johnson said. “So is he going to go down to 125, or is he going to fight at 135? What are his options? I don’t foresee him and Alex Pantoja ever fighting, so that’s going to put a big strain on his career.

“He is getting older. I believe he’s in his early 30s, maybe mid 30s. Alex Pantoja isn’t going to lose anytime soon, so I think it’s a very interesting dynamic of why he’s coming back now instead of the past where I think now it may be a little interesting because the question is, he has a title in his sights, but his main training partner, Alex Pantoja, is the champion.”

[lawrence-related id=2795534,2747155,2706659]

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: UFC Mexico results, Cain Velasquez sentencing, Conor McGregor done fighting?

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” we discuss the UFC Mexico results, Cain Velasquez’s sentencing, Conor McGregor latest comments, and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] finally has a UFC win on home soil. After going 0-2-1 fighting in Mexico under the UFC banner, Moreno defeated [autotag]Steve Erceg[/autotag] this past Saturday in the main event of UFC on ESPN 64. Should Moreno get the next crack at champion Alexandre Pantoja? We discuss Moreno’s big win, plus other key results from UFC Mexico.
  • [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] received a five-year sentence in prison for a 2022 shooting. This put an end to a heartbreaking case that troubled the MMA community for a while. Velasquez shot a vehicle that had a man who allegedly molested Velasquez’s 4-year-old son at a daycare. Velasquez was credited with 1,283 days of previously time served, meaning he’ll have to serve 542 days behind bars. We react to the verdict of the case and the MMA community’s response.
  • Is [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] done fighting? Well, the UFC superstar made some recent comments that signaled, to many, McGregor’s true intentions on a potential return to the cage. Will we ever see the Irishman set foot in the octagon again? We discuss.
  • New signings, new bookings, and matchups falling through. The often repeating headlines seen week to week in the sport. We discuss [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag]’s return to the UFC, the announcement of the inaugural GFL cards, [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]’s withdrawal from his [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] fight, and more.
  • Lastly, we end the show with a look ahead at the two major events going down this weekend: PFL 1, 2025 and UFC on ESPN 65. We preview [autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag], and the welterweight and featherweight tournaments kicking off at Thursday’s PFL event.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Former RIZIN, Bellator champ Kyoji Horiguchi signs for UFC return

After going 7-1 in his first octagon stint, former RIZIN and Bellator champ Kyoji Horiguchi is back in the UFC.

Former UFC flyweight title challenger, former Bellator champ and former RIZIN champion [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] is headed back to the octagon.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported earlier this month that Horiguchi (34-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was on the verge of striking a deal to return to the UFC for the first time since November 2016. On Friday after X user Andy Hickey noted Horiguchi had recently submitted a drug test under the UFC’s anti-doping program.

Then on Saturday, Horiguchi appeared at RIZIN 50 in Japan and announced he was vacating his flyweight championship to return to UFC, and RIZIN will hold a grand prix to crown a new champ in his absense.

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

Horiguchi, 34, excited the UFC after completing his contract on a three-fight winning streak. He moved up to RIZIN, where he captured a title, then on to Bellator, where he also captured the now-defunct organization’s bantamweight title.

The Japanese standout hasn’t lost a fight since April 2022. He’s currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak.

Horiguchi nearly reached the highest of highs in his first UFC tenure. He challenged then-champion Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 185 in April 2015, but was submitted with just one second remaining in the final round.

Now he returns to the octagon, but it is unknown at this time when he will compete, and whether it will be at bantamweight or flyweight.

[lawrence-related id=2795534,2706659]

RIZIN 49: Best photos from Japan

Check out these photos from RIZIN 49 on New Year’s Eve in Saitama, Japan.

Check out these photos from the fights at RIZIN 49, their big New Year’s Eve show featuring three title fights at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. (Photos courtesy of RIZIN FF)

RIZIN 49 video: Kyoji Horiguchi survives knockdown, defends title vs. Nkazimulo Zulu

Former UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi almost suffered a massive upset loss at RIZIN 49: Decade.

[autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] experienced multiple scares from [autotag]Nkazimulo Zulu[/autotag] at RIZIN 49: Decade, but he ultimately found his path to victory and defended the flyweight title.

After largely dominating in the opening round of the matchup on Tuesday in Saitama, Japan, Zulu (16-7-1) achieved his biggest moment when he rocked the former UFC title challenger with a big punch late in the round. Horiguchi (34-5) survived and scored a knockdown of his own moment later before threatening with a fight-ending choke.

The action then spilled over into the second frame, where Horiguchi wasted no time putting Zulu on his back and grinding minutes off the clock before the referee stood them up and he was rocked again. Horiguchi battled through danger and got the fight to the next round, though.

Horiguchi took the fight back to his safe zone in the third frame, putting Zulu on his back and battering him with a steady diet of ground-and-pound from half guard. The referee took a close look at Zulu multiple times, but he limited the amount of damage absorbed and made it to the final bell.

“Thank you to the fans who give me my power,” Horiguchi said in his post-fight interview. “I wanted to finish the fight and show my level. I’m going to work harder and come back stronger in 2025.”

[vertical-gallery id=2795570]

Complete MMA results from RIZIN 49 included:

  • Chihiro Suzuki vs. Kleber Koike
  • Kyoji Horiguchi def. Nkazimulo Zulu via unanimous decision – to defend flyweight title
  • Roberto Satoshi def. Vugar Karamov via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 4:45
  • Seika Izawa def. Lucia Apdelgarim via submission (triangle armbar) — Round 1, 2:21
  • Yuki Motoya def. Kyoma Akimoto via unanimous decision
  • Rajabali Shaidullaev def. Yuta Kubo via TKO — Round 2, 2:30
  • Karshyga Dautbek def. Ren Sugiyama via unanimous decision
  • Ryuya Fukuda def. Ryusei Ashizawa via knockout — Round 1, 0:54
  • Mikio Ueda def. Tae In Kim via knockout — Round 2, 2:31
  • Jose Torres def. Makoto Takahashi via split decision
  • Taisei Sakuraba def. Yusuke Yachi via TKO — Round 1, 0:26
  • Koji Takeda def. Suguru Nii via technical decision — Round 3, 4:09
  • King Edokpolo def. Satoshi Kamiyama via knockout — Round 1, 3:22
  • Genji Umeno def. Taiga Kawabe via unanimous decision
  • Daichi Tomizawa vs. Kota Miura via knockout — Round 1, 1:53
  • Hyuma Yasui def. Hiroaki Suzuki via split decision
  • Hiroto Gomyo def. Koki Akada via split decision

Sergio Pettis reflects on Rizin 47 loss to Kyoji Horiguchi: ‘It’s an eye-opener’

Sergio Pettis reacts to his decision loss to Kyoji Horiguchi at Sunday’s Rizin 47.

[autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] wasn’t able to replicate what he did to [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] back in 2021.

The two fought this Sunday in Tokyo, Japan in the main event of Rizin 47. Pettis (23-7), who had defeated Horiguchi (33-5-1) by knockout in their first outing under the Bellator banner, lost a unanimous decision. The former Bellator champion didn’t expect to get beat in the fashion that he did, and was surprised with how things went down.

“He went out there and got comfortable,” Pettis said when asked about his decision loss at the Rizin 47 post-fight press conference. “He put me on my back and controlled me in the corners, and did a good job in the wrestling department.

“Like I said, this is something I’ve always lacked throughout my career, and it’s an eye-opener. I’ve been prepping for all these wrestlers my whole career, but there are some guys that still sneak through, and Horiguchi ended up being one of those guys. It is what it is, and I’ll get better at that.”

Pettis is currently signed with PFL and has yet to debut under the new regime, as the promotion bought Bellator back in November. He says a return to the PFL-Bellator cage is next for him.

“I have a lot of stuff to get back to at home with Bellator and the PFL,” Pettis said. “I have a lot of opportunities there for me, but I’m down for wherever the journey takes me. I started my career in the UFC for six years and when I was younger I thought that’s where I was going to be my whole life, but I went over to Bellator and got an opportunity to come over here for Rizin. I’m down for whenever the martial arts road takes me. I’m a martial artist at the end of the day.”

Rizin 47 marked the first time that Pettis fights in Japan. Overall, he had a positive experience, and would love to do it again, but this time get his hand raised.

“I felt there was some love from the fans, and in general the Japanese fans are amazing,” Pettis said. “They’re very supportive and very nice. It was amazing to see how every seat was filled from beginning to end. Back in the states, it’s the opposite. They wait till the main event for the crowd to be filled. The production and everything behind the scenes was amazing, so thank you. What an opportunity. I will never forget this moment, even though I lost.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]

Kyoji Horiguchi, Sergio Pettis to rematch at Rizin 47 in June

Kyoji Horiguchi will get an opportunity to avenge one of his most notable losses at Rizin 47

[autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] will get an opportunity to avenge one of his most notable losses at Rizin 47.

Horiguchi (32-5-1) is set to run it back with [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (23-6) in a bantamweight bout June 8 (June 9 locally) from Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, promotion officials announced Thursday night.

Pettis rallied to knock out Horiguchi with a spinning backfist to retain his bantamweight title at Bellator 272. He went on to defend his title against Patricio Freire at Bellator 297 but then lost it to Patchy Mix at Bellator 301.

Horiguchi captured inaugural Rizin flyweight championship with a second-round submission of Makoto Takahashi this past December. He will return to bantamweight for the first time since September 2022.

The current Rizin 47 lineup includes:

  • Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Sergio Pettis
  • Juan Archuleta vs. Kleber Koike
  • Karshyga Dautbek vs. Tetsuya Seki

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Conor McGregor announces return – at 185, UFC 300 takes shape, more

This week’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel discusses Conor McGregor’s fight announcement, the state of UFC 300, the end of USADA and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts, with a special Tuesday edition after New Year’s Day is in the rear-view mirror.

This week’s panel of Mike Bohn, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] took to social media and announced he will fight Michael Chandler during International Fight Week on June 29 in Las Vegas, and it will happen at middleweight. UFC has not confirmed McGregor’s claims, but we’ll react to it and whether we’re buying or selling the details.
  • [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] revealed his third welterweight title defense will happen at UFC 300, which would be the first title booking for the historic card on April 13. Who will he fight, and what are impressions of the card so far given the other already confirmed bouts?
  • [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] says he’s unretired less than nine months after hanging up his gloves: What’s the best option for his fighting future?
  • UFC officially switched anti-doping systems on Jan. 1, with USADA now a thing of the past and a new structure in place. The panel will react to the press release with all the details.
  • What fight bookings do we DISLIKE the most so far on the MMA schedule in 2024?
  • [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] was MMA Junkie’s Male Fighter of the Year and [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] was the Female Fighter of the Year: Fair or foul?

Video: Kyoji Horiguchi scores New Year’s Eve proposal after winning Rizin flyweight title

With a Rizin flyweight title win followed by a successful proposal, Kyoji Horiguchi is winning at life.

[autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag]’s title victory may have been overshadowed by what followed.

Winning the inaugural Rizin flyweight title by submitting Makoto Shinryu in the second round at Rizin 45 was a big moment for Horiguchi and the promotion on New Year’s Eve, but he wasn’t done creating memories.

After getting the gold belt wrapped around his waist, Horiguchi had some hardware of his own to offer. With gold confetti all over the ring, Horiguichi turned to his girlfriend, and dropped to one knee to propose.

Trying to hold back tears of joy, she got on the microphone herself to make sure everyone heard her acceptance, and Horiguichi slid a ring onto his now-fiancee’s finger.

Check out video of the moment below (via X):

 

Horiguchi has challenged for a UFC title, captured Bellator gold, and is now a Rizin titleholder, but what came after his win on Sunday was perhaps the biggest moment of his life on a very special evening in Japan.

[lawrence-related id=2706659]