Kyoji Horiguchi recently capped off a triumphant return to the octagon and called for a flyweight title shot. Horiguchi is on a quest to capture UFC gold, which remains the only major championship missing from his career. The Japanese MMA star’s performance showcased that he is a top contender in the division. Horiguchi faced Tagir Ulanbekov in the UFC Qatar main card opener. According to oddsmakers, he was listed as an underdog before the fight. However, the former RIZIN flyweight champion proved them wrong with a stellar performance. From the opening bell, he used his quick movements and precise timing to find openings in the standup exchanges. Ulanbekov managed to secure takedowns, but Horiguchi stayed calm. He got back to his feet and reset his offense without hesitation. In the 3rd round, Horiguchi dropped Ulanbekov. He quickly secured a rear-naked choke and finished the fight. The win should move him toward a title shot. After the bout, Horiguchi called out Alexandre Pantoja, even though they train together at American Top Team. “Of course, I want to get a UFC [title],” Horiguchi said during his post-fight interview. “Where’s Pantoja? He is my teammate but it doesn’t matter. I will beat your [expletive].” Many fighters avoid challenging teammates, but Horiguchi does not plan to. Their shared gym also adds more interest to a possible matchup. Kyoji Horiguchi Reflects on UFC Return UFC Qatar marked Kyoji Horiguchi’s first UFC fight since UFC Fight Night 99. That event saw him earn a unanimous decision over Ali Bagautinov. Nine years passed, so many fans wondered how he would perform at age-35. His dominant performance removed those doubts. Horiguchi later posted a photo of himself celebrating the win. He shared how excited he felt to return to the UFC after such a long time. “I finally came back to the UFC!” Horiguchi wrote on Instagram. “It’s a great honor to have a chance. Thank you very much.” Horiguchi submitted the No. 11 ranked flyweight and controlled most of the fight. That result places him in a strong position within the division. Horiguchi might be fast tracked to a title shot depending on what unfolds when Pantoja faces Joshua Van at UFC 323. Pantoja has already beaten many flyweights currently ranked in the top-10, so Horiguchi gives the UFC a fresh option. If the fight happens, the buildup will have another layer of interest. The two have trained together for years and know each other well, which would make the matchup even more compelling. Horiguchi Was Successful Outside the UFC Horiguchi built an impressive career outside the UFC for nearly a decade. He left the promotion with a 7-1 record. His lone loss coming in a flyweight title fight against Demetrious Johnson. Horiguchi joined RIZIN and captured the bantamweight and inaugural flyweight titles. His success helped raise the promotion’s profile in Japan and worldwide. Horiguchi later split time between RIZIN and Bellator. In Bellator, he won the bantamweight championship. At one point, he held the Bellator and RIZIN bantamweight titles at the same time.
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