Kyoji Horiguchi is making a comeback to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
The 34-year-old Japanese MMA star has decided to give up his RIZIN flyweight title to return to the UFC in 2025. He announced this decision at RIZIN 50 on Sunday. Horiguchi trains with current UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja as teammates.
The UFC has not yet announced the date or opponent for his first fight back.
“I’m heading to the UFC,” Horiguchi stated. “My goal is to become the first ever Japanese UFC champion.”
Horiguchi previously competed in the UFC from 2013 to 2016. His only loss during that period was against then-champion Demetrious Johnson. He chose to leave the UFC while on a three-fight win streak to join RIZIN Fighting Federation. Now, he returns to the UFC riding a five-fight winning streak.
During his time in RIZIN, Horiguchi was highly successful, winning 14 out of 15 fights. He secured victories over notable fighters like Manel Kape, Ian McCall, and Yuki Motoya, and he avenged his only loss to Kai Asakura. The American Top Team fighter also held both the RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight titles simultaneously during his dominant run in Japan, including two wins over Darrion Caldwell.
RIZIN has announced that they will organize a flyweight grand prix this year to crown a new champion in the 125-pound division.
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