The Bantamweights opened up the UFC 166 Facebook prelims with Dustin Pague (11-8, 1-4 UFC) looked to break his three fight skid against UFC newcomer Kyoji Horiguchi (11-1). The 135ers got the event off to a great start. Pague looked good early and almost picked up a quick RNC victory, but Horiguchi held out. In the second round, he took over and brutalized Page on the ground to force the TKO stoppage.
A quick exchange on the feet to start, then Pague attacked with a takedown from a standing arm-triangle position. Horiguchi almost wound up on top, but Pague scrambled to lock on the body triangle and take the back. He immediately started going for the rear naked choke, but a standing Kyoji defended well. With about 90 seconds left, Horiguchi managed to escape and counter into a clinch of his own. Page with a solid right hand. Kyoji came in to clinch up again and Pague tossed him to the mat. Round ends with a reversal and Horiguchi on top.
After losing the first round, Horiguchi landed a big punch that sent Pague to the mat. The Japanese fighter followed up with vicious ground and pound, but referee Herb Dean let the fight go on. Pague managed to reverse and escape but got tripped with Kyoji taking half-guard quickly. Pague ate a lot of shots on the ground. Horiguchi stacked Pague and unleashed another series of punches that finally made Herb Dean call the fight.
Kyoji Horiguchi TKO’d Dustin Pague at 3:51 of round 2.
A great fight and fantastic debut for Horiguchi. Unfortunately for Pague this was probably his final appearance in the Octagon as he’s likely get his walking papers after losing for the fifth time under the UFC banner.