Is Kyoji Horiguchi poised to go on the kind of run that could get him another UFC title shot?
It’s been nearly 11 years since Horiguchi challenged Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 186 in Montreal. He was submitted with just one second left in the five-round fight.
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In 2025, after eight years away from the promotion in Rizin and Bellator, the 35-year-old returned to the UFC with a bonus-winning submission of Tagir Ulanbekov. And while he says he’s not gunning for the flyweight title, his popularity and the scarcity of contenders at 125 pounds means he could be in contention in a hurry.
Horiguchi (35-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) on Saturday takes on Amir Albazi (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 266 co-main event at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas (Paramount+). Ahead of that fight, check out highlights from his UFC career going way back in the video above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Is Kyoji Horiguchi poised for UFC title mix again, 11 years later?
