Kyoji Horiguchi, a former RIZIN flyweight champion and teammate of UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, has announced his return to the UFC in 2025 with aspirations of becoming the first Japanese UFC champion.
Guess what? Kyoji Horiguchi’s making a comeback to the UFC!
The 34-year-old sensation from Japan has decided to drop his RIZIN flyweight championship. Why? So he can step back into the octagon in 2025. He spilled the beans during RIZIN 50 on Sunday. Oh, and fun fact: he’s a teammate of UFC flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja.
As for when he’ll fight or who he’ll face? The UFC’s keeping that under wraps for now.
“I’m going to the UFC,” Horiguchi declared. Boldly adding, “I’m going to become the first Japanese UFC champion.” Ambitious much?
Horiguchi had quite the stint in the UFC from 2013 to 2016, with only one loss against then-champ Demetrious Johnson. He left the promotion riding a three-fight win streak to join RIZIN. And now? He’s back after defeating his last five opponents.
Under RIZIN’s banner, he won 14 out of 15 fights! Names like Manel Kape, Ian McCall, and Yuki Motoya fell to him. He even avenged his sole loss to Kai Asakura. Dominating much? Oh, and let’s not forget—he held both the RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight titles at the same time, beating Darrion Caldwell twice.
Meanwhile, RIZIN’s gearing up for a flyweight grand prix this year. Who will be crowned the new 125-pound champ? Stay tuned!