Best fights of Kyoji Horiguchi
Over 16 years as a professional, Kyoji Horiguchi has compiled a 36-6 (21) record, including twelve title fights across two weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Darrion Caldwell in their 2nd fight
On June 14, 2019 Kyoji Horiguchi fought Darrion Caldwell for the Bellator bantamweight title. It was their second meeting. Horiguchi was 28 years old with a record of 27-2, and Caldwell was 31 with a record of 13-2. Horiguchi was on a 12-fight winning streak, while Caldwell was coming off a loss. Horiguchi won via unanimous decision. Crowned the new bantamweight champion.
2. Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Sergio Pettis in their 2nd fight
On June 9, 2024 Kyoji Horiguchi faced Sergio Pettis in a bantamweight bout. It was their second meeting. Horiguchi was 33 years old with a record of 32-5, and Pettis was 30 with a record of 23-6. Horiguchi was coming off a win, while Pettis was coming off a loss. Horiguchi won via unanimous decision.
3. Kyoji Horiguchi submits Darrion Caldwell
On December 31, 2018 Kyoji Horiguchi fought Darrion Caldwell for the vacant Rizin bantamweight title. Horiguchi was 28 years old with a record of 25-2, and Caldwell was 31 with a record of 13-1. Horiguchi was on a 10-fight winning streak and Caldwell was on a 4-fight winning streak. Horiguchi submitted Darrion Caldwell via guillotine choke in the 3rd round. Won the vacant title.
4. Kyoji Horiguchi submits Makoto Takahashi in their 2nd fight
On December 31, 2023 Kyoji Horiguchi fought Makoto Takahashi for the vacant Rizin flyweight title. It was their second meeting. Horiguchi was 33 years old with a record of 31-5, and Takahashi was 0 with a record of 0-0. Horiguchi submitted Makoto Takahashi via rear-naked choke in the 2nd round. Won the vacant title.
5. Kyoji Horiguchi KOs Kai Asakura in their 2nd fight
On December 31, 2020 Kyoji Horiguchi fought Kai Asakura for the Rizin bantamweight title. It was their second meeting. Horiguchi was 30 years old with a record of 28-3, and Asakura was 27 with a record of 16-2. Horiguchi was coming off a loss, while Asakura was on a 2-fight winning streak. Horiguchi stopped Kai Asakura via KO in the 1st round. Crowned the new bantamweight champion.
6. Kyoji Horiguchi KOs Shintaro Ishiwatari in their 2nd fight
On December 31, 2017 Kyoji Horiguchi fought Shintaro Ishiwatari for the vacant 2017 Rizin Grand Prix bantamweight title. It was their second meeting. Horiguchi was 27 years old with a record of 22-2, and Ishiwatari was 32 with a record of 25-6-4. Both Horiguchi and Ishiwatari were on a 7-fight winning streak. Horiguchi stopped Shintaro Ishiwatari via KO in the 2nd round. Won the vacant title.
7. Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Ali Bagautinov
On November 19, 2016 Kyoji Horiguchi faced Ali Bagautinov in a flyweight bout. Horiguchi was 26 years old with a record of 17-2, and Bagautinov was 31 with a record of 14-4. Horiguchi was on a 2-fight winning streak and Bagautinov was coming off a win. Horiguchi won via unanimous decision.
8. Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Hiromasa Ougikubo in their 2nd fight
On July 29, 2018 Kyoji Horiguchi faced Hiromasa Ougikubo in a bantamweight bout. It was their second meeting. Horiguchi was 27 years old with a record of 24-2, and Ougikubo was 31 with a record of 17-3-2. Horiguchi was on a 9-fight winning streak and Ougikubo was on a 7-fight winning streak. Horiguchi won via unanimous decision.
9. Kyoji Horiguchi loses to Demetrious Johnson via KO
On April 25, 2015 Kyoji Horiguchi fought Demetrious Johnson for the UFC flyweight title. Horiguchi was 24 years old with a record of 15-1, and Johnson was 28 with a record of 14-2-1. Horiguchi was on a 9-fight winning streak and Johnson was on a 7-fight winning streak. Johnson submitted Horiguchi via armbar in the 5th round. Failed to capture the title.
10. Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Hiromasa Ougikubo in their 3rd fight
On December 31, 2022 Kyoji Horiguchi faced Hiromasa Ougikubo in a flyweight bout. It was their third meeting. Horiguchi was 32 years old with a record of 30-5, and Ougikubo was 35 with a record of 25-6-2. Horiguchi was coming off a win, while Ougikubo was coming off a loss. Horiguchi won via unanimous decision.