Kyoji Horiguchi eyes UFC title after vacating RIZIN championship

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 31, 2025, 00:13 IST

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Kyoji Horiguchi, after years at RIZIN and Bellator, is set to rejoin the UFC at 34. The former flyweight and bantamweight champion announced his return and aims to become the first Japanese UFC champion. With a six-fight unbeaten streak, Horiguchi's comeback promises excitement as he targets another shot at the UFC gold.

Kyoji Horiguchi eyes UFC title after vacating RIZIN championship

Photo by Matt Davies/Getty Images

After years of dominating international promotions, Kyoji Horiguchi is making his long-awaited return to the UFC. The former RIZIN and Bellator champion has officially signed a deal to rejoin the promotion for the first time since 2016. At 34 years old, Horiguchi is determined to accomplish what he couldn't in his first UFC stint: becoming a world champion. On Saturday, during RIZIN 50 in Japan, he announced he was vacating his flyweight title to take another shot at UFC gold. "I’m going to the UFC," Horiguchi declared. "I’m going to become the first Japanese UFC champion."

Kyoji Horiguchi’s journey: From UFC prospect to global star

Horiguchi (34-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC) first fought in the UFC between 2013 and 2016, amassing an impressive record before his contract ended. He famously challenged Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 185 in 2015, only to be submitted in the final second of the fight. Despite the loss, he remained a top prospect, but after completing his contract on a three-fight winning streak, he took his talents overseas.

In Japan’s RIZIN, Horiguchi became one of the promotion’s biggest stars, winning the bantamweight title. He later signed with Bellator, where he claimed the now-defunct bantamweight championship as well. His return to the UFC comes at a high point in his career, as he’s currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak, with his last defeat dating back to April 2022.
While reports of Horiguchi’s UFC comeback had been circulating, his decision was seemingly confirmed when an X user, Andy Hickey, noticed he had submitted a drug test under the UFC’s anti-doping program. On Saturday, he stood in the RIZIN ring, grabbed the mic, and made it official—he was leaving for the UFC. As he spoke, RIZIN confirmed they would hold a grand prix to crown a new flyweight champion in his absence.
Also Read: Rafael Fiziev Declares UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as the Greatest Fighter of All Time
It remains unclear whether Horiguchi will compete at flyweight or bantamweight in his return. Regardless, the Japanese star has his sights set on making history. With years of experience and multiple championship reigns under his belt, he is ready to prove he belongs among the best. Now, fans eagerly await his first fight back in the octagon.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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