Earlier tonight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 113, former Bellator and RIZIN champion Kyoji Horiguchi aligned himself with Amir Albazi.
From the opening stanza, the Japanese fighter dictated the pace, constantly switching stances and landing lightning fast from both angles. ‘The Prince’ tried to take the fight to the ground, but Horiguchi’s takedown defense was good.
In the third round, Horiguchi pushed for the finish, bombarding Albazi with brutal kicks and sharp one-twos. However, despite being visibly injured, the Iraqi fighter managed to survive until the final bell.
After 15 minutes, ‘Karate Kid’ reached a unanimous decision.
Horiguchi returned to the UFC last November and submitted Tagir Ulanbekov. Now, after his win over Albazi tonight, the Japanese star has landed his crosshairs on newly crowned flyweight kingpin Joshua Van.
Pros react to Kyoji Horiguchi’s UFC Vegas 113 victory
Merab Dvalishvili posted on X:
“Wow, what a performance from Kyoji Horiguchi, he gets a flayweight belt 🦾🇯🇵 congratulations. ✊”
Former UFC doubles champion Henry Cejudo wrote:
“Kyoji Horiguchi will be UFC champion by the end of 2026 #UFCVegas113”
Derek Brunson, who had similar feelings to Cejudo, wrote about X:
“Ok, I’ve seen enough, give Horiguchi the next title shot! 😂 #UFCVegas113”
Meanwhile, Damon Martin posted:
“I love Kyoji Horiguchi….But it has to be Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape until Alexandre Pantoja is ready to fight again #UFCVegas113”
Azamat Bekoev, who would like to see Kyoji Horiguchi fight five rounds, wrote:
“Horiguchi’s fights should always last five rounds.”
The MMA guru added:
“KYOJI HORIGUCHI DESTROYS AMIR ALBAZI IN THREE ROUNDS 30-27, ALBAZI BARELY LANDS A CLEAN SHOT, WHILE KYOJI SETTING HIM UP AS A FLYWEIGHT PRIME WHITTAKER We could have a future Japanese UFC World Champion on our hands here 🇯🇵, back in his second prime #UFCVegas113.”
Josh Thomson posted:
“Albazi is a huge man… Horigchi’s speed and power should be a problem for Albazi as this fight progresses.”
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