Kyoji Horiguchi is open to the potential of returning to the UFC sooner or later.
The Japanese fighter went 7-1 underneath the UFC banner between 2013 and 2016 and have become simultaneous bantamweight champion in RIZIN and Bellator at one level of his post-UFC profession. He’s scheduled to defend his 125-pound belt versus Nkazimulo Zulu at RIZIN DECADE in Saitama, Japan, on Dec. 31.
Horiguchi’s sole UFC loss was to then reigning champion Demetrious Johnson and mentioned he would think about re-entering the octagon sooner or later if the deal is true. The 34-year-old left the promotion on a three-fight profitable streak over Chico Camus, Neil Seery and Ali Bagautinov, and has since overwhelmed the likes of Manel Kape, Sergio Pettis, Darrion Caldwell and Kai Asakura.
“It was my resolution [to leave the UFC], I made this resolution, so I’ve no regrets,” Horiguchi advised MMA Preventing by way of a translator. “However I do have the sensation of wanting to creating one other problem within the UFC.”
Evaluating RIZIN and UFC occasions, Horiguchi mentioned Japanese exhibits have “extra aptitude” than large MMA playing cards in North America.
“I believe the largest distinction is that Japanese promotions, they actually hype the battle,” Horiguchi mentioned. “They actually promote the battle. The walkouts are nice. And I believe general, it’s very motivating for the fighters. Preventing internationally, worldwide occasions, it’s extra sports-like. There’s no grand [opening], it simply begins, that kind of factor. So I believe Japan has extra aptitude to it.”
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has practically cleaned up the division already with 4 title defenses and eight wins over fighters at the moment within the high 15 (plus two unofficial wins on The Final Fighter). Horiguchi trains with the Brazilian every day at American High Crew in Florida and mentioned they’ve mentioned the potential of perhaps combating one another sooner or later if Horiguchi ever returns to the promotion.
“We type of speak about it within the gymnasium,” Horiguchi mentioned. “We joke round and I inform them that I can beat you up anytime, I’ll beat you up and stuff like that. You already know, we type of joke round. However , if it’s a title battle, I believe the gymnasium must settle for it. It’s what it’s and it’s what we do. If it occurs, I believe we may make it occur.”
Pantoja received seven straight within the UFC and will sooner or later threaten Johnson’s UFC report if he continues to defend his title now that “Mighty Mouse” has formally retired from the game — and declined a callout from Pantoja to return and face him.
“DJ is a good fighter, and he’s had a implausible, phenomenal profession,” Horiguchi mentioned. “He’s positively a legend, and I respect him quite a bit. However with that mentioned, I believe my objective is to have extra accomplishments and have a greater report than what DJ has completed to ensure that me to turn into the most effective.”
