Kyoji Horiguchi is set to make his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
The 34-year-old Japanese MMA fighter has relinquished his RIZIN flyweight title to facilitate his comeback to the UFC in 2025. He made this announcement at RIZIN 50. Notably, Horiguchi trains alongside current UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
The UFC has not yet confirmed the date or opponent for Horiguchi`s first fight back in the promotion.
Horiguchi stated, “I’m going to the UFC. My goal is to become the first Japanese UFC champion.”
Horiguchi previously competed in the UFC from 2013 to 2016, with his only defeat being against then-champion Demetrious Johnson. He left the UFC on a three-fight win streak to join RIZIN, and returns to the UFC after winning his last five fights.
During his successful run in RIZIN, Horiguchi achieved a 14-1 record, securing victories against notable fighters such as Manel Kape, Ian McCall, and Yuki Motoya, and avenged his defeat to Kai Asakura. He also held both the RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight titles concurrently, defeating Darrion Caldwell twice.
RIZIN has announced a flyweight grand prix to be held this year to crown a new 125-pound champion following Horiguchi`s departure.
