Kyoji Horiguchi
Japan
Rise to top continues
Horiguchi defeated Amir Albazi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fighters like Horiguchi don't come around very often. He's a guy that does literally everything well and provides his opposition with zero openings to attack him. He was in total control the entirety of this fight, outside of one huge punch landed by Albazi late in Round 1. The final numbers ended up extremely lopsided. Horiguchi closed with a 73-16 edge in significant strikes landed, in addition to stuffing all seven of Albazi's takedown attempts. One would think Alexandre Pantoja would get an immediate rematch for the UFC Flyweight Championship against Joshua Van if he can get healthy in any reasonable amount of time, but if he can't, Horiguchi has as strong of a case as anyone. He's 35 years old, in his second stint with the company, has won seven straight fights, and has fought high-level competition all over the world.
Fighters like Horiguchi don't come around very often. He's a guy that does literally everything well and provides his opposition with zero openings to attack him. He was in total control the entirety of this fight, outside of one huge punch landed by Albazi late in Round 1. The final numbers ended up extremely lopsided. Horiguchi closed with a 73-16 edge in significant strikes landed, in addition to stuffing all seven of Albazi's takedown attempts. One would think Alexandre Pantoja would get an immediate rematch for the UFC Flyweight Championship against Joshua Van if he can get healthy in any reasonable amount of time, but if he can't, Horiguchi has as strong of a case as anyone. He's 35 years old, in his second stint with the company, has won seven straight fights, and has fought high-level competition all over the world.
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Facing Albazi in Vegas
Horiguchi will take on Amir Albazi in a flyweight bout at UFC Vegas 113 on Feb. 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Horichuchi hasn't lost a UFC bout since 2015, and most recently, he disposed of Tagir Ulanbekov with a rear naked choke back in November. Sitting at 8-1 in the promotion, he'll face a fighter who is also off to a good start in the UFC in Albazi, who carries a 5-1 record into February's bout.
Horichuchi hasn't lost a UFC bout since 2015, and most recently, he disposed of Tagir Ulanbekov with a rear naked choke back in November. Sitting at 8-1 in the promotion, he'll face a fighter who is also off to a good start in the UFC in Albazi, who carries a 5-1 record into February's bout.
Convincing upset win in Qatar
Horiguchi defeated Tagir Ulanbekov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:18 of Round 3 at UFC Qatar on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi was seemingly getting little respect here, entering as roughly a (+190) betting underdog despite his credentials as a former UFC title contender and long-time Bellator and RIZIN champion. The 35-year-old doesn't seem to be slowing down even a little, as he was dominating the company's No. 11-ranked flyweight through two rounds before eventually finding the finish. Ulanbekov had now answers for Horiguchi's grappling, and only landed six significant strikes for the duration of the fight. Considering Horiguchi's age and the fact he took little damage here, the UFC should push him quickly into title-implicating fights. In the meantime, he'll be awarded a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here.
Horiguchi was seemingly getting little respect here, entering as roughly a (+190) betting underdog despite his credentials as a former UFC title contender and long-time Bellator and RIZIN champion. The 35-year-old doesn't seem to be slowing down even a little, as he was dominating the company's No. 11-ranked flyweight through two rounds before eventually finding the finish. Ulanbekov had now answers for Horiguchi's grappling, and only landed six significant strikes for the duration of the fight. Considering Horiguchi's age and the fact he took little damage here, the UFC should push him quickly into title-implicating fights. In the meantime, he'll be awarded a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here.
Returning to UFC vs. Ulanbekov
Horiguchi will take on Tagir Ulanbekov in a flyweight bout at UFC Qatar on Nov. 22, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi hasn't fought in the UFC since 2016. He was slated to return to the promotion at UFC Baku in June, but that bout was called off. Now, he's booked against Ulanbekov, and he'll look to add to his sterling 7-1 record in the UFC.
Horiguchi hasn't fought in the UFC since 2016. He was slated to return to the promotion at UFC Baku in June, but that bout was called off. Now, he's booked against Ulanbekov, and he'll look to add to his sterling 7-1 record in the UFC.
Out for UFC Baku
Horiguchi (undisclosed) will not fight Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Baku on June 21, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
There were two months between Dorff's announcement of the Horiguchi-Ulanbekov fight and when it was supposed to happen, but sandwiched between both was an unfortunate occurrence that caused Horiguchi's recent withdrawal. In his place is Azat Maksum.
There were two months between Dorff's announcement of the Horiguchi-Ulanbekov fight and when it was supposed to happen, but sandwiched between both was an unfortunate occurrence that caused Horiguchi's recent withdrawal. In his place is Azat Maksum.
Gets UFC debut
Horiguchi will fight Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Baku on Jun. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi will finally make it to the big stage with a 34-5 professional record and nearly 15 years of fighting experience, fighting for and owning titles under the banners of respected promotions such as Bellator and RIZIN. He'll take on a tough opponent in Ulanbekov, who is coming off a three-match win streak and has only lost one of his six UFC matchups.
Horiguchi will finally make it to the big stage with a 34-5 professional record and nearly 15 years of fighting experience, fighting for and owning titles under the banners of respected promotions such as Bellator and RIZIN. He'll take on a tough opponent in Ulanbekov, who is coming off a three-match win streak and has only lost one of his six UFC matchups.