Kyoji Horiguchi gets honest about promotional return at UFC Baku, talks potentially fighting ATT teammate Alexandre Pantoja someday
After nearly a decade away, Kyoji Horiguchi will return to the octagon at UFC Baku on June 21 when he faces the streaking Tagir Ulanbekov at flyweight. In a recent interview with the MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn, Horiguchi shared his thoughts on his homecoming. However, that wasn't all he addressed.
The Japanese star isn't returning to the UFC simply to compete. He is on a mission for gold, and the current 125-pound champion in the promotion is his American Top Team teammate Alexandre Pantoja, whom he is willing to face.
Horiguchi said:
"I feel great, I'm excited to go back to UFC. I wanted to go back to the UFC, always. Every time, I thinking about that."
When the prospect of fighting his friend and teammate Pantoja was brought up by Bohn, Horiguchi wasted no time in expressing his willingness to challenge the Brazilian phenom for UFC flyweight gold.
"I need to get the belt, but my friend has the belt. It's going to be good fight. Yeah [we're comfortable fighting each other], fight friend and make good. It's gonna be good."
Check out Kyoji Horiguchi's thoughts on his UFC return and possibly fighting Alexandre Pantoja (0:09 and 2:26):
Horiguchi has been a wildly successful fighter throughout the years. His initial UFC stint saw him go 7-1, with his only loss coming against all-time great Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title.
After making his departure, Horiguchi found new homes in Bellator and RIZIN, where he became a champion. He captured the Bellator bantamweight title and claimed the RIZIN flyweight title while twice holding its bantamweight belt. He also won the RIZIN bantamweight grand prix championship.
Only UFC gold has eluded him, with many ex-world champions experiencing similar shortcomings.
Alexandre Pantoja is similarly open to fighting Kyoji Horiguchi
Just days ago, reigning UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja spoke to MMA Fighting about fighting Kyoji Horiguchi for the title. While teammates usually avoid facing each other, with fights among them often sparking rivalries, the Brazilian saw no issue in fighting his close friend. He said:
"It's gonna be a pleasure if I fight with him for the belt. Just for the belt. I don't believe I'd fight with Kyoji without the belt, but for the belt. We are talking about that. It's gonna be like a gift, this opportunity to fight with Kyoji for the belt."
Check out Alexandre Pantoja's thoughts on defending his title against Kyoji Horiguchi (10:10):
Pantoja is coming off a stellar second-round submission win over ex-RIZIN bantamweight title Kai Asakura at UFC 310.