Kyoji Horiguchi

Kyoji Horiguchi (堀口 恭司) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator MMA and Rizin FF in the Flyweight division, where he is the current RIZIN Flyweight Champion.

He is also the former bantamweight champion in both organizations.

As of July 30, 2023, he is #5 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings.

On June 22, Horiguchi fought Pancrase Bantamweight Champion, Shintaro Ishiwatari, at VTJ 2nd, where Horiguchi acted as a Shooto representative.

The two engaged in a competitive, back and forth fight.

Many outlets had Ishiwatari leading on the scorecards heading into the final round.

Horiguchi rallied early in the fifth round, landing a barrage of punches on Ishiwatari to force the stoppage and defend his title.

His biggest victory up to that time would come over the 2009 Rookie Tournament runner-up, Yuta Nezu.

Horiguchi's knockout power was on display early, knocking out Nezu in the first round.

His nickname is The Typhoon.

A professional competitor since 2010, Horiguchi formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is the former Shooto Bantamweight Champion.

He graduated from Sakushin Gakuin High School in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan.

Horiguchi began training in karate at the age of five and was talented, as he soon began competing in full-contact competitions and went on to become a regional champion.

At the age of 16, Horiguchi viewed a PRIDE Fighting Championships event and became drawn to mixed martial arts.

Horiguchi began training in the sport at Norifumi Yamamoto's Krazy Bee Gym after graduating high school when he was 18 years old.

Horiguchi said seeing Yamamoto knockout bigger men was what drew him to the fighter.

Horiguchi made his professional MMA debut in Shooto in 2010, winning a decision over Ranki Kawana.

Prior to this, Horiguchi was Bantamweight fighter, Norifumi Yamamoto's sparring partner.

Just two fights later he would win the Shooto 2010 Rookie Tournament, finishing Seiji Akao by TKO early in the second round.

Horiguchi took on the former Shooto Bantamweight Champion, Masakatsu Ueda on January 8, 2012.

Ueda controlled most of the bout with his superior grappling, nearly submitting Horiguchi numerous times.

He lost by a majority decision.

Horiguchi captured the Shooto Bantamweight Championship on March 16, 2013, when he defeated Hiromasa Ougikubo submitting him in the second round by rear-naked choke.

Horiguchi made his promotional debut against Dustin Pague on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166.

He was victorious in his debut, winning the fight via TKO in the second round.

Horiguchi was expected to face Chris Cariaso in a Flyweight bout on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169.

However, Horiguchi pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by WEC veteran Danny Martinez.

Horiguchi faced Darrell Montague on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

A rescheduled bout with Chris Cariaso was expected to take place on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52.

However, Cariaso was pulled from the bout with Horiguchi in favor of a matchup with current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 178.

Horiguchi instead faced Jon Delos Reyes.

He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Horoguchi faced Louis Gaudinot on January 3, 2015, at UFC 182.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Horiguchi faced Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on April 25, 2015, in the main event at UFC 186.

Despite doing well during the first round, Horiguchi lost the otherwise one-sided fight via an armbar submission at 4:59 of the fifth round, resulting in the latest finish in UFC history.

Horiguchi faced Chico Camus at UFC Fight Night 75 on September 27, 2015.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Horiguchi next faced Neil Seery on May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87.