Whereas Kyoji Horiguchi will pump some much-needed new blood (form of) into the UFC’s flyweight division, ex-titleholder Demetrious Johnson thinks his addition may additional complicate issues at 125.
Final month, Horiguchi introduced that he would vacate the RIZIN flyweight championship after signing with the Final Preventing Championship for the second time in his profession.
Horiguchi beforehand competed for the UFC between 2013 and 2016, going 7-1 within the course of. He finally opted to not renew his contract in 2017 and signed a cope with RIZIN. Since then, Horiguchi has captured each the flyweight and bantamweight world titles in RIZIN.
He additionally gained the Bellator bantamweight championship in June 2019, however was pressured to vacate it 5 months later on account of harm.
Now, Horiguchi is again on MMA’s largest stage decided so as to add a UFC title to his resume. Nonetheless, it will not be that easy.
For these unaware, Kyoji Horiguchi and reigning UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja are good buddies, usually coaching alongside each other at American High Staff in Coconut Creek, Florida.
With buddies typically unwilling to struggle one another contained in the Octagon, i.e., Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, ‘Mighty Mouse’ believes that Horiguchi’s re-addition to the flyweight division may make the highest of the division much more of a muddled mess.
“It’s fascinating to see a man like Kyoji Horiguchi come again to the UFC after such an up-and-down profession,” Johnson instructed Submission Radio. “He’s been by way of lots—leaving on a win streak, preventing in RIZIN, shedding to Sergio Pettis, however now he’s again along with his sights set on the title.
“The dynamic along with his primary coaching accomplice, Alex Pantoja, being the champion is fascinating. How do they navigate that? I don’t see them preventing one another, so it may complicate his profession path.”
DJ backs pantoja to beat Kyoji Horiguchi in potential uFC title tilt
If Horiguchi and Pantoja can put apart their friendship, it might make for one of many extra intriguing matchups in UFC flyweight historical past. So far as who would come out on high, Johnson believes Pantoja’s world-class grappling and steel-like chin could be sufficient to win the day in opposition to his ATT teammate.
“If Horiguchi needs the belt, he’ll must struggle Pantoja,” Johnson continued. “However I believe Pantoja wins that struggle—he’s sturdy, has a tough chin, and is an exceptional grappler. The flyweight division is stacked proper now with guys like Kai Kara-France and Manel Kape. It’s thrilling to see the way it all performs out.”
