Kyoji Horiguchi was speculated to make his extremely anticipated return to the UFC on the upcoming card in Baku, Azerbaijan, however sadly, he was instantly eliminated and changed in his scheduled struggle towards Tagir Ulanbekov.
No particulars had been out there on the time however now Horiguchi’s longtime head coach Mike Brown from American High Group has revealed particulars concerning the previous RIZIN and Bellator champion being compelled out of the struggle and his timeline to return to motion.
“He had a rib damage,” Brown instructed MMA Preventing. “Sadly, the whole lot was going to plan, we had been so pumped that he was lastly within the UFC, and I imply this man trains exhausting on a regular basis, goes reside on a regular basis and places himself by way of the ringer. Sadly, these type of issues occur.
“He tore some cartilage in his rib and this was a fairly good tear so six to eight weeks earlier than you’ll be able to actually transfer with out actually unhealthy ache. That will put him proper at struggle time. We gave it like per week and tried for him to coach on it and there was no method. We needed to push it again.”
The six- to eight-week restoration time means Horiguchi ought to be capable to return to full coaching by the top of June or early July, which implies his return to the UFC received’t be delayed very lengthy.
That mentioned, Brown believes Horiguchi is prepared for whoever the UFC finally ends up throwing at him identical to he was ready to face Ulanbekov in his first struggle contained in the octagon in almost 9 years.
Throughout his earlier stint with the UFC, Horiguchi was one of many prime flyweights within the sport along with his solely loss coming again in 2015 when he fell by submission to then champion Demetrious Johnson. Total, Horiguchi sported a 7-1 report within the UFC earlier than leaving the promotion and signing with RIZIN in Japan.
Horiguchi finally examined himself at bantamweight, and he turned a power of nature in that division as nicely after claiming titles in each RIZIN after which Bellator MMA as nicely.
Now, the 34-year-old veteran is again in his previous stomping grounds at flyweight, and Brown guarantees that Horiguchi is able to tackle anyone the UFC gives him.
“Truthfully not involved with who his opponent is,” Brown mentioned. “We imagine that he can struggle anyone. So whoever they need to give him, no downside. From 1 to 100, it doesn’t matter. Put in entrance of him, he’s keen to struggle anyone, anyplace.
“He’ll go as much as [135 pounds]. I imply he fought Tenshin Nasukawa in his first kickboxing struggle ever. This man is keen to struggle anyone and is a particular man. He’s keen to tackle anyone.”
Returning to the UFC probably presents one problem for Horiguchi, as a result of his pursuit of the flyweight title may convey him in direct battle with buddy and teammate Alexandre Pantoja, who presently holds the title at 125 kilos.
Whereas these sorts of fights have torn groups aside previously, Pantoja truly praised Horiguchi as one of many main causes he was in a position to develop into UFC champion, and he wouldn’t deny his buddy an opportunity to reside the identical dream now that they’re competing in the identical promotion.
“It’s gonna be a pleasure if I struggle with him for the belt,” Pantoja instructed MMA Preventing again in April. “Only for the belt. I don’t imagine I’d struggle with Kyoji with out the belt, however for the belt, we’re speaking about that. And it’s gonna be like a present, this chance to struggle with Kyoji for the belt … after I spar with Kyoji within the gymnasium, each struggle stops within the gymnasium and watches my coaching with him. It’s a pleasure. It’s like actual reward to have Kyoji on my facet.”
Brown admits he’s by no means loved conditions the place teammates are compelled to struggle one another, however he is aware of the connection cast between Horiguchi, Pantoja and former ONE Championship flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, who additionally trains at American High Group, is one thing particular.
“I’ve by no means seen something prefer it,” Brown mentioned. “These three collectively are such good guys. Between Pantoja, Kyoji and Adriano Moraes, ONE FC champ, UFC champ after which Bellator/RIZIN champ, all one of the best guys on the planet and simply little or no ego. Humble and simply unhealthy dudes, all three of them. All very complimentary of each other and none of them have an enormous ego. It’s refreshing truthfully.
“I’m not a man who wish to see teammates struggle each other, however these are guys I believe they may in all probability find yourself doing it and there wouldn’t be any animosity. They’re all like tremendous good dudes and all tremendous humble.”
Greater than something, Brown is simply excited to see Horiguchi get the chance to as soon as once more compete on the largest stage within the sport now that he’s again within the UFC.
“In RIZIN, Japan is watching and some different locations,” Brown mentioned. “The world is watching the UFC, and I believe he deserves that. I believe that he deserves for the world to see how good this man is.”
