Kyoji Horiguchi has his sights set on a gold medal, and even after his victory at UFC Vegas 113, that want will not go away any time quickly.
Final Saturday, Horiguchi and Albaji went one-on-one in an vital flyweight bout. That is Karate Child’s second combat since returning to the UFC. Horiguchi stopped Tagir Ulanbekov, who returned to the UFC in November 2025, with a technical submission, however is presently 2-0 since his return.
Horiguchi gained a unanimous determination over No. 6 Albazi. Throughout the UFC Vegas 113 post-fight press convention, the previous RIZIN star stated his final aim is to win the UFC flyweight championship, even when his buddy and coaching companion Alexandre Pantoja finally takes the gold again (h/t MMAFighting).
Horiguchi stated, “I do not care.” “I need the belt. If the champion is Pantoja, then sure, Pantoja. If it is one other man, then sure, one other man. That is it.”
Pantoja misplaced the 125-pound title as a result of an unexpected accident. Simply 26 seconds into his title combat towards Joshua Vann at UFC 323, Pantoja landed awkwardly on his arm and dislocated it, giving Vann the victory and the championship. There is no phrase on when Pantoja can be able to return, however Horiguchi has no intention of skipping the road as soon as his buddy returns to the Octagon.
“After all (Pantoja will rating the primary shot),” Horiguchi stated. “He defended it many instances. I feel he is a real champion. That was a coincidence. I feel he is a real champion.”
Horiguchi has a report of seven wins, 0 losses, and 1 NC in his final eight matches. He has presently crushed the likes of Sergio Pettis, Albazi, and Ulambekov. It’s important to return to April 2022 to search out Horiguchi’s most up-to-date defeat. It was a unanimous determination loss to Patchy Combine, who was not too long ago lower from the UFC. The combo returns to RIZIN in Japan.
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