Kyoji Horiguchi is open to the possibility of returning to the UFC in the future.
The Japanese fighter went 7-1 under the UFC banner between 2013 and 2016 and became simultaneous bantamweight champion in RIZIN and Bellator at one point of his post-UFC career. 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 said he would consider re-entering the octagon one day if the deal is right. The 34-year-old left the promotion on a three-fight winning streak over Chico Camus, Neil Seery and Ali Bagautinov, and has since beaten the likes of Manel Kape, Sergio Pettis, Darrion Caldwell and Kai Asakura.
“It was my decision [to leave the UFC], I made this decision, so I have no regrets,” Horiguchi told MMA Fighting through a translator. “But I do have the feeling of wanting to making another challenge in the UFC.”
Comparing RIZIN and UFC events, Horiguchi said Japanese shows have “more flair” than big MMA cards in North America.
“I think the biggest difference is that Japanese promotions, they really hype the fight,” Horiguchi said. “They really promote the fight. The walkouts are great. And I think overall, it’s very motivating for the fighters. Fighting internationally, international events, it’s more sports-like. There’s no grand [opening], it just begins, that type of thing. So I think Japan has more flair to it.”
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has nearly cleaned up the division already with four title defenses and eight wins over fighters currently in the top 15 (plus two unofficial wins on The Ultimate Fighter). Horiguchi trains with the Brazilian on a daily basis at American Top Team in Florida and said they have discussed the possibility of maybe fighting each other one day if Horiguchi ever returns to the promotion.
“We kind of talk about it in the gym,” Horiguchi said. “We joke around and I tell them that I can beat you up anytime, I’ll beat you up and stuff like that. You know, we kind of joke around. But you know, if it’s a title fight, I think the gym would have to accept it. It is what it is and it’s what we do. If it happens, I think we could make it happen.”
Pantoja won seven straight in the UFC and could one day threaten Johnson’s UFC record if he continues to defend his title now that “Mighty Mouse” has officially retired from the sport — and declined a callout from Pantoja to return and face him.
“DJ is a great fighter, and he’s had a fantastic, phenomenal career,” Horiguchi said. “He’s definitely a legend, and I respect him a lot. But with that said, I think my goal is to have more accomplishments and have a better record than what DJ has accomplished in order for me to become the best.”
