COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Kyoji Horiguchi is back in the UFC and there’s only one thing on his mind.
A former Bellator and RIZIN champion, Horiguchi (34-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC) want to add UFC gold to his trophy case.
“I wanted to go back to the UFC always. Every time, I was thinking about that.” Horiguchi told MMA Junkie at American Top Team on Tuesday. “I need to get the belt. But my friend has a belt. It’s going to be a good fight.”
Horiguchi, 34, returns June 21 in Baku, Azerbaijan vs. Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC). It’ll mark his first UFC fight since a November 2016 victory over Ali Bagautinov. His only loss in the promotion was a failed title bid in the UFC 186 main event against Demetrious Johnson in April 2015.
“I know every situation (now),” Horiguchi said, when asked about how he’s changed since that fight one decade ago. “I’ve improved a lot. I’d like to try that technique in the UFC.”
While it’s yet to be announced by the UFC, a rumored title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France seems to be next.
Horiguchi and Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) are long time training partners at ATT. According to Horiguchi, the two fighters aren’t opposed to having to fight one another, however. Their home gym, which is the training home of dozens of active UFC and PFL fighters, has been through similar scenarios many times before.
“Yeah (we’re) fighters and friends,” Horiguchi said. “Friends can make good money. It’s going to be good. If we decide to fight, maybe (we train) in separate rooms with a little bit more specific training.”
Horiguchi has competed both at flyweight and bantamweight throughout his career. Right now, 125 pounds is the only division in his plans, however.
“I need to get the belt, so flyweight,” Horiguchi said. “I’m not sure. Right now, I’m focused on flyweight.”
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