Kyoji Horiguchi is open to the potential for returning to the UFC sooner or later.
The Japanese fighter went 7-1 beneath 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 stated he would contemplate re-entering the octagon someday if the deal is correct. The 34-year-old left the promotion on a three-fight successful streak over Chico Camus, Neil Seery and Ali Bagautinov, and has since crushed the likes of Manel Kape, Sergio Pettis, Darrion Caldwell and Kai Asakura.
“It was my choice [to leave the UFC], I made this choice, 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 stated Japanese reveals have “extra aptitude” than large MMA playing cards in North America.
“I feel the most important distinction is that Japanese promotions, they actually hype the struggle,” Horiguchi stated. “They actually promote the struggle. The walkouts are nice. And I feel 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 sort of factor. So I feel Japan has extra aptitude to it.”
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has almost cleaned up the division already with 4 title defenses and eight wins over fighters at the moment within the prime 15 (plus two unofficial wins on The Final Fighter). Horiguchi trains with the Brazilian each day at American Prime Staff in Florida and stated they’ve mentioned the potential for perhaps preventing one another someday if Horiguchi ever returns to the promotion.
“We form of speak about it within the fitness center,” Horiguchi stated. “We joke round and I inform them that I can beat you up anytime, I’ll beat you up and stuff like that. You realize, we form of joke round. However you understand, if it’s a title struggle, I feel the fitness center must settle for it. It’s what it’s and it’s what we do. If it occurs, I feel we may make it occur.”
Pantoja gained seven straight within the UFC and will someday threaten Johnson’s UFC file 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 incredible, phenomenal profession,” Horiguchi stated. “He’s positively a legend, and I respect him lots. However with that stated, I feel my aim is to have extra accomplishments and have a greater file than what DJ has completed to ensure that me to grow to be one of the best.”
