Kyoji Horiguchi (right) signed with the UFC and left the RIZIN flyweight title vacant. Photo: Reproduction
34-year-old star Kyoji Horiguchi is back in the UFC. The Japanese fighter, who is teammates with the organization's flyweight champion, Alexandre pantoja, decided to relinquish the RIZIN title to return to the octagon in 2025.
The news that Kyoji Horiguchi would return to the UFC had already been given in first hand by combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani.
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“I’m going to the UFC. I’m going to become the first Japanese UFC champion,” Horiguchi said.
2 BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
1️⃣ RIZIN Flyweight Champion, Kyoji Horiguchi, will vacate the title and go to the UFC.
(Continued) pic.twitter.com/irhoyQZmmQ
— RIZIN.tv (@RIZINTV_) March 30, 2025
Horiguchi fought in the UFC between 2013 and 2016, losing only to the then champion Demetrious Johnson in the flyweight title fight. The Japanese fighter opted to leave the organization on a three-fight winning streak to join the RIZIN Fighting Federation, and now returns having defeated his last five opponents.
There were many achievements in these nine years away from the UFC. Horiguchi won 14 of 15 fights under the RIZIN banner, defeating names such as Manel kape, Ian McCall and Yuki Motoya, and avenged his only loss to Kai Asakura. The 'American Top Team' talent also held the RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight titles simultaneously during his dominant run in Japan, defeating Darrion Caldwell twice.
The UFC has yet to announce a date or opponent for Horiguchi's return fight.
RIZIN has announced that it will hold a flyweight grand prix this year to determine the new 56,7-pound champion.
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