Kyoji Horiguchi recently explained why he remains interested in fighting longtime teammate Alexandre Pantoja. Horiguchi said the idea comes from respect and competition, not personal conflict.
Horiguchi returned to the UFC last year, after nearly a decade away from the octagon. During his absence, he found success in Bellator and RIZIN. He held both promotions’ bantamweight titles at the same time.
At the time of his departure from RIZIN, Horiguchi also held the flyweight championship.
Pantoja, meanwhile, lost his UFC flyweight title to Joshua Van after suffering an injury during the fight. He is expected to receive an immediate rematch once he is medically cleared to return.
Horiguchi is now focused on making another run in the UFC flyweight division. In his return bout, he earned a 3rd round submission win over No. 12 ranked Tagir Ulanbekov in his return.
Horiguchi is now set to face No. 6 ranked Amir Albazi at UFC Vegas 113 this Saturday. A win could place Horiguchi firmly in the flyweight title picture. It could also set up a future clash with Pantoja.
Kyoji Horiguchi Interested in UFC Flyweight Title Fight with Alexandre Pantoja
While Kyoji Horiguchi expressed interest in facing Alexandre Pantoja, he would prefer it to be a UFC flyweight title fight. Both fighters rank among the elite in the division, making such a bout a realistic possibility.
Before that scenario can materialize, one of them would need to get past Joshua Van. Speaking with reporters ahead of UFC Vegas 113, Horiguchi outlined a potential path toward a showdown with Pantoja.
“Of course, [Pantoja] can [challenge Van and reclaim the flyweight title],” Horiguchi told reporters. “Or I get the belt fast, and then he challenges me. That’s a good story. I want to do that.”
Horiguchi emphasized that he respects Pantoja and maintains a strong relationship with him. However, ‘Karate Kid’ said a fight with ‘The Cannibal’ would allow them to determine who truly is superior. He added that training and sparring do not offer the same clarity as competition inside the octagon.
“Which one is the strongest [and] which one is the best in the world in flyweight?” Horiguchi said. “In training, it’s a little fake, that’s why I want to show everybody who’s the best.”
Horiguchi Listed as Heavy Betting Favorite at UFC Vegas 113
Horiguchi enters UFC Vegas 113 as the betting favorite to defeat Albazi. The former RIZIN flyweight champion carries strong momentum and could push toward the top-5 with a decisive win.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Horiguchi is listed as a heavy -410 favorite. A $20 wager on ‘Karate Kid’ would return a total payout of $24.88.
Albazi, meanwhile, looks to rebound from his unanimous decision loss to former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He enters the bout as a +290 underdog. A $20 wager would a total payout of $78.
Horiguchi’s status as the betting favorite reflects bettors’ confidence in his skill set. Many see him as a step ahead of Albazi.
A convincing victory could place Horiguchi next in line or one fight away from a title shot. Doing so could possibly set up a matchup with Pantoja.
Kyogi Horiguchi Reveals Why He Still Wants to Fight Teammate Alexandre Pantoja