Kyoji Horiguchi

Horiguchi next faced Ben Nguyen in a 132 pound catchweight bout on April 21, 2019 at Rizin 15. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Horiguchi headlined Rizin 18 on August 18, 2019 against Kai Asakura in a non-title bout. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round in a stunning upset. One of the biggest upsets of the 2019 year.

In April 2019, it was announced that Horiguchi would face Darrion Caldwell for the Bellator Bantamweight title on June 14, 2019 at Bellator 222. The pair previously fought in December 2018 in the Rizin promotion with Horiguchi winning by submission. Scott Coker, president of Bellator MMA disclosed to the media that Horiguchi's contract features a rematch clause. Should Horiguchi win the rematch, he will be obligated to defend the Bellator belt once a year. Horiguchi won the bout and title by unanimous decision. However, due to the injury suffered in October 2019, Horiguchi vacated his Bellator Bantamweight championship in late November 2019.

On August 18th 2019, Horiguchi returned to Rizin to fight Kai Asakura in a non-title bout at Rizin 18. Horiguchi lost the fight by TKO 67 seconds into the first round.

Horiguchi was expected to defend his Rizin FF Bantamweight Championship title against Kai Asakura in a rematch at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019. However, Horiguchi pulled out of the fight in mid-November citing a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of action for approximately 10 - 12 months. In turn, his bantamweight title has been vacated.

Horiguchi faced fellow UFC veteran Ian McCall in the main event at Rizin 10 on May 6, 2018. He defeated McCall just 9 seconds into the first round via KO. This was the second fastest stoppage in Rizin history.

On September 30, 2018, Horiguchi fought Japanese Kickboxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa at Rizin 13 under Rizin Kickboxing rules, and lost by unanimous decision.

Horiguchi faced the reigning Bellator Bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight by submission via a guillotine choke.

It was announced on February 17, 2017 that Horiguchi chose not to renew his contract with the UFC.

On April 16, 2017 Horiguchi made his debut in Rizin where he defeated Yuki Motoya by unanimous decision.

Horiguichi next faced Hideo Tokoro in the first round of the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix on July 30, 2017 at Rizin 6. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Horiguchi competed in the rest of the Bantamweight Grand Prix in December 2017, fighting three times over two days. In the quarter-finals, he faced Gabriel Oliviera on December 29, 2017 at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. He advanced to the next round, which was held on December 31, 2017 at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round. He faced Manel Kape in the semi-finals and won via arm-triangle choke submission in the third round. In the final, he faced Shintaro Ishiwatari and won via knockout early into the second round to become the inaugural RIZIN Bantamweight Champion.

Horiguchi next faced Neil Seery on May 8, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Horiguchi was expected to face Ali Bagautinov on October 15, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 97. However, the promotion announced on October 6 that they had cancelled the event entirely. In turn, the pairing was quickly rescheduled and took place on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 99. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Horoguchi faced Louis Gaudinot on January 3, 2015 at UFC 182. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Horiguchi faced Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on April 25, 2015 in the main event at UFC 186. Despite doing well during the first round, Horiguchi lost the otherwise one-sided fight via an armbar submission at 4:59 of the fifth round, resulting in the latest finish in UFC history.

Horiguchi faced Chico Camus at UFC Fight Night 75 on September 27, 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Horiguchi was expected to face Chris Cariaso in a Flyweight bout on February 1, 2014 at UFC 169. However, Horiguchi pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by WEC veteran Danny Martinez.

Horiguchi faced Darrell Montague on May 10, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

A rescheduled bout with Chris Cariaso was expected to take place on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52. However, Cariaso was pulled from the bout with Horiguchi in favor of a matchup with current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 178. Horiguchi instead faced Jon Delos Reyes. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Horiguchi captured the Shooto Bantamweight Championship on March 16, 2013 when he defeated Hiromasa Ogikubo submitting him in the second round by rear-naked choke.

Horiguchi made his promotional debut against Dustin Pague on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166. He was victorious in his debut, winning the fight via TKO in the second round.

After a 9-second knockout victory, Horiguchi made a quick turnaround to face fellow Japanese champion Hiromasa Ogikubo in a long-awaited rematch. Ogikubo, the current Shooto bantamweight champion, had not lost since he last faced Horiguchi in 2013. Horiguchi won the bout via unanimous decision.

Horiguchi took on the former Shooto Bantamweight Champion, Masakatsu Ueda on January 8, 2012. Ueda controlled most of the bout with his superior grappling, nearly submitting Horiguchi numerous times. He lost by a majority decision.

Horiguchi made his professional MMA debut in 2010, winning a decision over Ranki Kawana. Prior to this, Horiguchi was Bantamweight fighter, Norifumi Yamamoto's sparring partner. Just two fights later he would win the Shooto 2010 Rookie Tournament, finishing Seiji Akao by TKO early in the second round.

His biggest victory up to that time would come over the 2009 Rookie Tournament runner-up, Yuta Nezu. Horiguchi's knockout power was on display early, knocking out Nezu in the first round. His nickname is The Typhoon.

Kyoji Horiguchi (堀口 恭司 , Horiguchi Kyōji, born October 12, 1990) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in Rizin FF and Bellator MMA in the Bantamweight division. He is the former bantamweight champion in both organizations. A professional competitor since 2010, Horiguchi formerly competed in the UFC and is the former Shooto Bantamweight Champion. He graduated from Sakushin Gakuin High School in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan. Horiguchi is training in American Top Team.

On June 22, Horiguchi fought Pancrase Bantamweight Champion, Shintaro Ishiwatari, at VTJ 2nd. The two engaged in a competitive, back and forth fight. Many outlets had Ishiwatari leading on the scorecards heading into the final round. Horiguchi rallied early in the fifth round, landing a barrage of punches on Ishiwatari to force the stoppage and defend his title.