Latest news with #KyojiHoriguchi
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Why RIZIN's flyweight world grand prix lineup is sending shockwaves through MMA
Why RIZIN's flyweight world grand prix lineup is sending shockwaves through MMA (Image Source: Getty Images) The announcement of RIZIN Fighting Federation of their flyweight world grand prix has generated massive hype within the mixed martial arts live, with the Japanese promotion inviting a superstar 10-fighter field that will go toe-to-toe when the tournament commences on July 27, 2025, at Super RIZIN 4 on Saitama Super Arena. The exit of a previous champ, Kyoji Horiguchi, has given way to a fresh start to the 125-pound division, and the lineup uniting the competitors is one of the most competitive flyweight tournaments in recent history. Veterans bring championship pedigree to stacked tournament field The validity of this tournament lies in the quality of known fighters who are ready to fight the empty crown. Hiromasa Ougikubo is 38 years old and has experience beyond compare, having already won a RIZIN tournament by defeating bantamweights Naoki Inoue and Kai Asakura in the same tournament in December 2021. His win over future Ultimate Fighting Championship winner Alexandre Pantoja in The Ultimate Fighter in 2016 proves that he can fight against the best. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo In the meantime, Jose Torres enters as a former Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran and former champion in Brave Combat Federation and Titan Fighting Championship with international credentials on his resume despite his recent struggles as a member of Brave. The presence of Makoto Shinryu makes it even more intriguing, as the grizzled veteran has already fought Horiguchi twice in an attempt to win the belt, and lost both times by submission after a prior eye-poke no-contest situation. The fact that he has already experienced the competition of the championship scale and that he has a 5-3 RIZIN record is what makes him a serious contender to take the vacant throne. Rising stars and international flavor create global appeal A presence of veterans is not the only thing that will make the tournament globally appealing; undefeated Dagestani prospect Alibek Gadzhammatov is part of the next generation of flyweight talent. The 5-0 record of the 23-year-old, which includes a knockout win over Daichi Kitakata in his November 2024 RIZIN debut, reflects the finishing power that has earned the fighter the nickname of fan-favorite. The fact that he cannot make a decision when it comes to being a professional fighter will bring a sense of uncertainty that may upset the bracket. Nkazimulo Zulu represents the Africans as a former two-division champion of Extreme Fighting Championship with an 87 percent finishing rate and an equal number of knockouts (seven) and submissions. His title decision loss to Horiguchi on New Year's Eve showed that he is at that level of the best and Takaki Soya just defeated former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger John Dodson by a unanimous decision at RIZIN Otoko Matsuri on May 4, and that is just to show the strength of the tournament. Also Read: Why Sean O'Malley is relieved Ilia Topuria ignored his callout after UFC 317 knockout RIZIN Fighting Federation's flyweight world grand prix represents more than just a tournament—it's a statement that the Japanese promotion remains committed to showcasing world-class talent across all weight divisions, ensuring the flyweight championship will be held by a truly deserving competitor. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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.
