In line with mutliple studies this night, former flyweight title challenger, Kyoji Horiguchi has lastly made good on his rumored return to the UFC — with the Japense sensation at the moment focused to struggle on an upcoming UFC Combat Night time Baku card in Azerbaijan this summer season.
Horiguchi, a former flyweight title challenger throughout his prolonged Octagon tenure, challenged former dominant champion, Demetrious Johnson for the title again in 2015, dropping a buzzer-beating armbar submission loss of their UFC 186 headliner.
Nevertheless, earlier this month, studies detailed how Horiguchi, a former Bellator MMA bantamweight champion who additionally struck each bantamweight and flyweight gold with Rizin FF — was set to make good on a long-speculated return to the Octagon.
Kyoji Horiguchi set to make UFC return amid 9 12 months layoff
And this night, as per Laerte Viana on social media, Horiguchi has reportedly made good on his UFC resigning, and moreover, is focused to struggle on an upcoming premiere card in Azerbaijan for the Octagon chief.
“Kyoji Horiguchi is back in the UFC after nine years,” Viana tweeted. “The Japanese flyweight will make his return in June, on a card that is expected to take place in Uzbekistan. His opponent has not yet been revealed.”
BREAKING NEWS! Kyoji Horiguchi está de volta ao UFC após nove anos. O peso mosca japonês vai fazer sua reestreia em junho, no card que deve rolar rolar no Uzbequistão. O adversário ainda não foi revelado.
E aí, chega para pensar em título? pic.twitter.com/zmQ6Ql4SKF
— Laerte Viana (@laertevianamma) March 28, 2025
Moreover this afternoon, Andy Hickey revealed that in the course of the newest UFC anti-doping program replace, Japanese star, Horiguchi’s identify was current — submitting an anti-doping take a look at pattern already.
Massive signing for The UFC.
Kyoji Horiguchi is formally within the testing pool.
Submitted a drug take a look at this week per the newest replace.
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) March 28, 2025
34-5(1) as knowledgeable, Horiguchi most lately defended the Rizin FF flyweight crown with a unanimous determination win over Nkazimulo Zulu again in December. Final 12 months besides, Horiguchi avenged a loss to Sergio Pettis with one other determination win within the pair’s rematch conflict.
Credit score: MMAmania.com
