Kyoji Horiguchi was speculated to make his extremely anticipated return to the UFC on the upcoming card in Baku, Azerbaijan, however sadly, he was out of the blue eliminated and changed in his scheduled battle in opposition to Tagir Ulanbekov.
No particulars had been out there on the time however now Horiguchi’s longtime head coach Mike Brown from American Prime Crew has revealed particulars concerning the previous RIZIN and Bellator champion being compelled out of the battle and his timeline to return to motion.
“He had a rib harm,” Brown advised MMA Combating. “Sadly, all the pieces 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 means of the ringer. Sadly, these sort of issues occur.
“He tore some cartilage in his rib and this was a reasonably good tear so six to eight weeks earlier than you possibly can actually transfer with out actually unhealthy ache. That will put him proper at battle time. We gave it like per week and tried for him to coach on it and there was no approach. We needed to push it again.”
The six- to eight-week restoration time means Horiguchi ought to have the ability to return to full coaching by the top of June or early July, which implies his return to the UFC gained’t be delayed very lengthy.
That mentioned, Brown believes Horiguchi is prepared for whoever the UFC finally ends up throwing at him similar to he was ready to face Ulanbekov in his first battle contained in the octagon in practically 9 years.
Throughout his earlier stint with the UFC, Horiguchi was one of many prime flyweights within the sport together with his solely loss coming again in 2015 when he fell by submission to then champion Demetrious Johnson. Total, Horiguchi sported a 7-1 file within the UFC earlier than leaving the promotion and signing with RIZIN in Japan.
Horiguchi ultimately examined himself at bantamweight, and he turned a power of nature in that division as properly after claiming titles in each RIZIN after which Bellator MMA as properly.
Now, the 34-year-old veteran is again in his outdated stomping grounds at flyweight, and Brown guarantees that Horiguchi is able to tackle anyone the UFC provides him.
“Actually not involved with who his opponent is,” Brown mentioned. “We imagine that he can battle anyone. So whoever they wish to give him, no downside. From 1 to 100, it doesn’t matter. Put in entrance of him, he’s prepared to battle anyone, anyplace.
“He’ll go as much as [135 pounds]. I imply he fought Tenshin Nasukawa in his first kickboxing battle ever. This man is prepared to battle anyone and is a particular man. He’s prepared to tackle anyone.”
Returning to the UFC probably presents one situation for Horiguchi, as a result of his pursuit of the flyweight title may carry 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 prior to now, Pantoja really praised Horiguchi as one of many major causes he was in a position to change 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 battle with him for the belt,” Pantoja advised MMA Combating again in April. “Only for the belt. I don’t imagine I’d battle 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 battle with Kyoji for the belt … once I spar with Kyoji within the gymnasium, each battle stops within the gymnasium and watches my coaching with him. It’s a pleasure. It’s like actual reward to have Kyoji on my aspect.”
Brown admits he’s by no means loved conditions the place teammates are compelled to battle one another, however he is aware of the connection solid between Horiguchi, Pantoja and former ONE Championship flyweight champion Adriano Moraes, who additionally trains at American Prime Crew, 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 this 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 battle each other, however these are guys I feel they might most likely 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 most important 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 feel he deserves that. I feel that he deserves for the world to see how good this man is.”
