Latest news with #UFC185
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
14-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 years ago, Rafael dos Anjos blew up the brief 'Showtime Era' at UFC 185
In 2015, Anthony Pettis was riding high and had been for years. Pettis came to the UFC as the final WEC champion on the heels of his famed 'Showtime Kick' against Benson Henderson. He was outworked and outsmarted by Clay Guida in his UFC debut in mid-2011, but just four fights later beat Henderson again to win the UFC's lightweight title. Another title defense submission followed, as did a coveted spot on a Wheaties box – a first for an MMA fighter. But at UFC 185 on March 14, 2015, Brazil's Rafael dos Anjos brought the 'Showtime Era' as lightweight champ to a fast halt. He dominated the champ to win a decision in an upset in Dallas. Pettis was 18-2 going into the fight. He's gone 7-12 since the loss, including a 1-4 record in the PFL after he left the UFC. Pettis signed with Global Fight League this past December for an MMA return after going 1-1 in boxing matches since his most recent MMA fight in 2022. Dos Anjos has had rough sledding, too. He's 8-10 since he beat Pettis to win the title. He defended the belt once in 2015, but lost it to Eddie Alvarez 16 months into his reign. Still, to beat 'Showtime,' dos Anjos turned in an all-time performance. Check out some of the highlights from that bout 10 years ago.
