Kyoji Horiguchi
Japan
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.
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More Fantasy News
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.
Signs with UFC
Horiguchi has signed with the UFC, according to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi won the RIZIN Flyweight Championship in 2023 and maintained the title for a year before announcing he would vacate it to rejoin the UFC. The 34-year-old's last UFC fight was in 2016, when he capped off a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN.
Horiguchi won the RIZIN Flyweight Championship in 2023 and maintained the title for a year before announcing he would vacate it to rejoin the UFC. The 34-year-old's last UFC fight was in 2016, when he capped off a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN.
Defends title in lackluster affair
Horiguchi defeated Darrion Caldwell by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) at Bellator 22 on June 14 at Madison Square Garden.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi submitted Caldwell in their first matchup last December under the banner of Rizin FF, and Friday's rematch completed the cross-promotion event. Despite Horiguchi being the visibly smaller fighter, he was able to emerge victorious yet again against Bellator's bantamweight champion. The size disadvantage only seemed to affect him in the first round, which pretty clearly went to Caldwell. While one judge awarded another round to Caldwell, it was all Horiguchi from there. By the time the championship rounds arrived, Caldwell appeared fatigued and his offensive wrestling began to fade with his stamina. It was a difficult fight to score due to constant stalemates on the mat, but in the end, the judges decided that it was Horiguchi getting the better of the grappling exchanges. While this wasn't the most fan-friendly fight, it sets an interesting precedent for future fights across promotions.
Horiguchi submitted Caldwell in their first matchup last December under the banner of Rizin FF, and Friday's rematch completed the cross-promotion event. Despite Horiguchi being the visibly smaller fighter, he was able to emerge victorious yet again against Bellator's bantamweight champion. The size disadvantage only seemed to affect him in the first round, which pretty clearly went to Caldwell. While one judge awarded another round to Caldwell, it was all Horiguchi from there. By the time the championship rounds arrived, Caldwell appeared fatigued and his offensive wrestling began to fade with his stamina. It was a difficult fight to score due to constant stalemates on the mat, but in the end, the judges decided that it was Horiguchi getting the better of the grappling exchanges. While this wasn't the most fan-friendly fight, it sets an interesting precedent for future fights across promotions.