Latest news with #KyojiHoriguchi
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kyoji Horiguchi's UFC return delayed, Tagir Ulanbekov gets new opponent in Baku
Kyoji Horiguchi's UFC return delayed, Tagir Ulanbekov gets new opponent in Baku Kyoji Horiguchi will have to wait a bit longer to make his return to the UFC cage. The former UFC flyweight title challenger, former RIZIN champion and former Bellator champion Horiguchi is out of his scheduled octagon comeback fight against Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC on ABC 8 for undisclosed reasons. Replacing him against Ulanbekov (16-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) on the June 21 card at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) will be Azat Maksum (15-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC). Two people with knowledge of the situation verified the new matchup to MMA Junkie following an initial report from Red Corner MMA. Ulanbekov, 33, is riding a three-fight winning streak in the flyweight division, including two by finish. Maksum, 30, meanwhile, will attempt to rebound from his first career loss against Charles Johnson after starting his career with 15 consecutive victories. The latest UFC on ABC 8 lineup now includes:
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kyoji Horiguchi explains UFC return, weighs in on fighting teammate Alexander Pantoja
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Kyoji Horiguchi 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.'
USA Today
30-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former RIZIN, Bellator champ Kyoji Horiguchi signs for UFC return
Former UFC flyweight title challenger, former Bellator champ and former RIZIN champion Kyoji Horiguchi 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.' 🚨 2 BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS! 🚨 1️⃣ RIZIN Flyweight Champion, Kyoji Horiguchi, will vacate the title and go to the UFC. (continued) — (@RIZINTV_) March 30, 2025 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.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC returns to Montreal for UFC 315 pay-per-view event in May
The UFC is making its return to Montreal for the first time since 2015, and is treating Canadian fans with a pay-per-view event. UFC broadcast partner TVA Sports announced Friday that UFC 315 will take place on Saturday, May 10, at Bell Centre. No fights were announced for the event at the time. The UFC's last trip to Montreal was on April 25, 2015, for UFC 186. A flyweight title fight between champion Demetrious Johnson and challenger Kyoji Horiguchi headlined that event. The co-feature of that card was Quinton Jackson vs. Fabio Maldonado. The Las Vegas-based MMA promotion typically highlights Canadian talent when bringing an event to the country, as was the case throughout the undercard of UFC 186 and other prior events. Canada's UFC Hall of Famer George St-Pierre has headlined three events at the Bell Centre: UFC 158 in 2013, UFC 154 in 2012, and UFC 124 in 2010. Other events hosted by Bell Centre include UFC 113, UFC 97 and UFC 83.
