Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
Amir Albazi faces off against Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 113 on February 7, 2026, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The flyweight co-main event streams exclusively on Paramount+. The bout is scheduled for three rounds, giving both fighters a 15-minute window to stake their claim in a stacked division.
Futures markets offer guidance on likely odds: Horiguchi sits at +800 to +900 odds to win the 2026 flyweight title, whereas Albazi occupies +1000 to +1200, indicating roughly 10-11% implied probability for Albazi versus 10-12% for Horiguchi. These odds suggest a competitive affair with a slight nod to the veteran Japanese fighter. Play more numbers and games with online slot machines.
When Horiguchi faced Ulanbekov in Qatar, he opened at approximately +170 as an underdog despite a stellar resume, a positioning that reflected some skepticism about his age and time away from the UFC. Given that comparable dynamic, Horiguchi may enter this bout at near pick’em or modest plus-money, likely in the -120 to -140 range, while Albazi could command +100 to +120 odds. These figures remain speculative pending official sportsbook releases, but historical precedent and tournament structure suggest Horiguchi as the marginal favorite.
For Horiguchi, victory puts him two fights deep for a title shot. Current champion Josh Van defeated Alexandre Pantoja in December 2025, while Tatsuro Taira (6-1 UFC) sits as the logical next contender. Beating a top-five opponent like Albazi accelerates Horiguchi’s path to a second title opportunity after his only prior shot, a submission loss to Demetrious Johnson at UFC 186 in 2015.
Kyoji Horiguchi enters as the betting favorite, holding the #8 flyweight ranking compared to Albazi’s #6 spot, a nuance that underscores the unpredictability of title contention at 125 pounds. The Japanese veteran carries a professional record of 35-5 with an unblemished 8-1 UFC mark since his 2015 loss to Demetrious Johnson. Horiguchi returned to the UFC in November 2025 after a nine-year absence, submitting previously unfinished Tagir Ulanbekov via rear-naked choke at 2:18 of the third round at UFC Qatar.
Albazi’s situation differs sharply. A loss to Horiguchi likely relegates him to a rebuild phase given his medical history and demonstrated decline after surgeries. Even victory doesn’t guarantee a title eliminator; success here repositions him as a viable gatekeeper for the division’s elite tier rather than a contender on the cusp of title discussions.
This matchup pits a resurgent veteran against a fighter fighting to reclaim form after devastating health setbacks. The betting preference for Horiguchi reflects his superior activity level, undefeated UFC tenure, and commanding recent performance. Moneyline bets likely favor Horiguchi in the -130 to -150 range, with decision finish props representing the most probable outcome.
Albazi offers value on volume metrics if he showcases the submission skills that defined his pre-surgery career, though the weight of evidence, recent form, opponent credentials, and health durability tilt the equation toward Horiguchi earning a title-contending victory.
