Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Kyoji Horiguchi See More
UFC Tampa takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
UFC 310 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
More Fantasy News
Signs with UFC
Horiguchi has signed with the UFC, according to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi won the RIZIN Flyweight Championship in 2023 and maintained the title for a year before announcing he would vacate it to rejoin the UFC. The 34-year-old's last UFC fight was in 2016, when he capped off a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN.
Horiguchi won the RIZIN Flyweight Championship in 2023 and maintained the title for a year before announcing he would vacate it to rejoin the UFC. The 34-year-old's last UFC fight was in 2016, when he capped off a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN.
Defends title in lackluster affair
Horiguchi defeated Darrion Caldwell by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) at Bellator 22 on June 14 at Madison Square Garden.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi submitted Caldwell in their first matchup last December under the banner of Rizin FF, and Friday's rematch completed the cross-promotion event. Despite Horiguchi being the visibly smaller fighter, he was able to emerge victorious yet again against Bellator's bantamweight champion. The size disadvantage only seemed to affect him in the first round, which pretty clearly went to Caldwell. While one judge awarded another round to Caldwell, it was all Horiguchi from there. By the time the championship rounds arrived, Caldwell appeared fatigued and his offensive wrestling began to fade with his stamina. It was a difficult fight to score due to constant stalemates on the mat, but in the end, the judges decided that it was Horiguchi getting the better of the grappling exchanges. While this wasn't the most fan-friendly fight, it sets an interesting precedent for future fights across promotions.
Horiguchi submitted Caldwell in their first matchup last December under the banner of Rizin FF, and Friday's rematch completed the cross-promotion event. Despite Horiguchi being the visibly smaller fighter, he was able to emerge victorious yet again against Bellator's bantamweight champion. The size disadvantage only seemed to affect him in the first round, which pretty clearly went to Caldwell. While one judge awarded another round to Caldwell, it was all Horiguchi from there. By the time the championship rounds arrived, Caldwell appeared fatigued and his offensive wrestling began to fade with his stamina. It was a difficult fight to score due to constant stalemates on the mat, but in the end, the judges decided that it was Horiguchi getting the better of the grappling exchanges. While this wasn't the most fan-friendly fight, it sets an interesting precedent for future fights across promotions.
Set for rematch at Bellator 222
Horiguchi will take on Darrion Caldwell on June 14 at Bellator 222.
ANALYSIS
The two are set for a rematch just six months after their first meeting, when Horiguchi defeated Caldwell via submission for the inaugural RIZIN bantamweight title in Japan. This time around, they'll meet again with a title on the line as Caldwell's Bellator bantamweight title will be up for grabs to the victor.
The two are set for a rematch just six months after their first meeting, when Horiguchi defeated Caldwell via submission for the inaugural RIZIN bantamweight title in Japan. This time around, they'll meet again with a title on the line as Caldwell's Bellator bantamweight title will be up for grabs to the victor.
Picks up win under Rizin banner
Horiguchi defeated Yuki Montoya via unanimous decision at Rizin FF 5 on Sunday morning.
ANALYSIS
Horiguchi turned down a UFC deal to take his talents overseas, and the 26-year-old is already off to a good start. Few in this promotion should be able to compete with the talented American Top Team Product, who was 7-1 with the UFC before leaving the company.
Horiguchi turned down a UFC deal to take his talents overseas, and the 26-year-old is already off to a good start. Few in this promotion should be able to compete with the talented American Top Team Product, who was 7-1 with the UFC before leaving the company.
Parts ways with UFC
Horiguchi, who recently turned down an extension offer from the UFC, has agreed to a deal to compete for Rizin, Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old Horiguchi has been riding a three-fight winning streak in the UFC, and is 7-1 overall since joining the promotion in 2013 -- his only loss came to champion Demetrious Johnson. Rather than jump back on board with the UFC, he'll take his talents overseas to compete in the Japanese upstart. According to the report, he already has a fight booked against Yuki Motoya on April 16.
The 26-year-old Horiguchi has been riding a three-fight winning streak in the UFC, and is 7-1 overall since joining the promotion in 2013 -- his only loss came to champion Demetrious Johnson. Rather than jump back on board with the UFC, he'll take his talents overseas to compete in the Japanese upstart. According to the report, he already has a fight booked against Yuki Motoya on April 16.