The UFC has been able to acquire some big signings who have achieved success in other big promotions over the past few years.
Patricio Pitbull is set to debut at UFC 314 next month as he becomes the latest ex-Bellator fighter to make the switch to the Octagon.
At UFC 310 this past December, former RIZIN star Kai Asakura debuted in a title shot which didn’t go his way after he was submitted by flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
This move was evidence of a growing relationship between the UFC and RIZIN which could see another top Japanese talent arrive on the roster in the coming months.
Having made history on multiple occasions since leaving the UFC in 2017, Kyoji Horiguchi appears to be gearing up for a return to the UFC.
Adriano Moraes’ teammate says ‘GOAT’ Kyoji Horiguchi can do whatever he wants
Having debuted in the UFC back in 2013 with a record of 11-1, Kyoji Horiguchi fought 8 times inside the Octagon and went 7-1.
His only loss came in a flyweight title fight with Demetrious Johnson where he was submitted with just 1-second left on the clock before putting together a 3-fight win streak.
After his final UFC fight in 2016, Horiguchi signed to RIZIN where he has established himself as an all-time great in Japan by writing his name into the history books.
‘The Typhoon’ has remained consistently active with wins on his record over the likes of Manel Kape, Kai Asakura and Sergio Pettis.
Having successfully defended the RIZIN bantamweight title against Bellator titleholder Darrion Caldwell in a cross-promotion showcase, Horiguchi went on to beat Caldwell in the rematch at Bellator 222 to hold both promotion’s 135-pound titles at the same time.
At RIZIN 45 in December of 2023, he became the first fighter in the history of the promotion to hold titles in two divisions after he submitted Makoto Shinryu to win the inaugural flyweight belt.
Horiguchi is currently unbeaten in his last 6 outings (including a no contest) with his last defeat coming against Patchy Mix at Bellator 279 in April of 2022 and now, he looks to be re-joining the UFC’s flyweight roster, as reported by Ariel Helwani.
In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Horiguchi’s American Top Team training partner Adriano Moraes spoke about the prospect of the former title challenger stepping back inside the Octagon.
Both men train alongside Alexandre Pantoja with Moraes looking to regain the ONE flyweight title in a rematch with Yuya Wakamatsu at Saitama Super Arena in Japan for ONE 172.
The Brazilian believes that after what Horiguchi has been able to accomplish since leaving the UFC, he has the power to do whatever he wants as a contender for the greatest of all time status.
“Horiguchi already did a lot of things for this sport. He’s, I think, the only fighter who has world championship belt in both promotions, RIZIN and Bellator, I think this is a GOAT thing, you know. I think for him, he can go wherever he wants. If he wants to go to the UFC, he can go. If he wants to go to ONE Championship, he can go.
“I think he’s at a stage where he can do everything he wants and I’m really happy for him to stay in this kind of place for his career because he deserves it. He’s very disciplined and I can’t wait for whichever place he goes to fight, I’m going to be in his team for sure.”
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Where does Kyoji Horiguchi fit in?
Ariel Helwani reported that a potential UFC return for Kyoji Horiguchi could take place at the promotion’s planned debut in Azerbaijan in June with the #11-ranked Tagir Ulanbekov being a name that is in the mix.
The biggest question regarding Horiguchi’s return is what this means for Alexandre Pantoja because the two teammates aren’t likely to face one another.
There is certainly no shortage of interesting opponents for the Japanese star whether it’s new challenges like Ulanbekov or familiar faces like Kai Asakura and Manel Kape.
Perhaps there could be a scenario where if Horiguchi gets into title contention, Pantoja moves up to bantamweight after already beating the majority of the top contenders in the division.