Kyoji Horiguchi was in top form against Amir Albazi. | Getty/UFC
More than a decade ago, Kyoji Horiguchi wasn’t ready to become a UFC champion.The Japanese standout took on pound-for-pound great Demetrious Johnson at UFC 186, falling to “Mighty Mouse” via armbar in the fifth round of their April 2015 championship fight. Horiguchi would win three more UFC fights before parting ways with the Las Vegas-based promotion in 2016. He enjoyed great success with Rizin and Bellator before returning to the UFC late last year. On Saturday, he earned his second straight win inside the Octagon when he powered past Amir Albazi in the UFC Fight Night 266 co-main event.
“I’m better at everything,” Horiguchi said of the difference between now and then at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “Fighting fear, being afraid, everything, I’m learning. That’s why I’m strong now.”At 35 years old, Horiguchi still appears to be at the peak of his powers. With that in mind, he has set his sights on adding UFC hardware to a trophy case that already includes Rizin and Bellator belts.
“I don’t care,” Horiguchi said. “I want a belt. If that’s the champion.”
[Alexandre] Pantoja, yes Pantoja. If it’s another man, yes, another man. That’s all.”Joshua Van claimed the flyweight title when Pantoja suffered an arm injury early in their UFC 323 bout last December. Pantoja is Horiguchi’s training partner at the top US team, and the Japanese standout would be happy to give the Brazilian a title shot if push comes to shove.
“Of course,” Horiguchi said. “He has defended it many times. I think he is a real champion. It was an accident. I think he is a real champion.”
The perfectionist
Although Horiguchi was virtually flawless against Albazi on Saturday, he still saw plenty of room for improvement.”Not my best performance, I want to finish it,” Horiguchi said. “Of course I want to get the belt quickly. I’ll keep training, go back to Florida and just focus on the belt.”
Horiguchi appeared to suffer a hand injury while fulfilling his media obligations, but he does not expect that to be a significant hindrance.
‘I’m not sure [when I’ll fight next] because maybe my hand is a little broken, but if I fix this, it won’t matter,” Horiguchi said. “I can fight anywhere, anytime.”
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