Kyoji Horiguchi Eyes History as Japan’s First UFC Champion: “I Will Get the Belt”
Kyoji Horiguchi faces Amir Albazi at UFC Vegas 113 this Saturday in a flyweight co-main event that could position him for a title shot. Speaking at the pre-fight press conference, Horiguchi acknowledged the competition with fellow Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira but remained focused on his goal of becoming the first Japanese-born UFC champion in the promotion’s history.
Kyoji Horiguchi Honored by Pursuit of Historic UFC Title
Horiguchi enters as a heavy favorite at -410 against Albazi (+290). Analysts point to his elite striking volume (3.64 strikes per minute) and accuracy (46%) as advantages in a three-round contest. The Japanese fighter holds a 35-5 professional record with championship experience across three promotions. See more numbers and play more games with GGBet.
When asked at Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference about the internal competition with fellow Japanese fighter Tatsuro Taira to become the first Japanese-born UFC champion, Horiguchi was direct.
“I think so, there is some competition, but I don’t give any belt to anybody. I will get the belt. First or second doesn’t matter. I will get it.”
No Japanese-Born Fighter Has Held Division UFC Gold
Despite the UFC’s 30-plus year history, no Japanese-born fighter has ever captured a UFC championship. Several have come close. Horiguchi himself challenged Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 186 in April 2015, losing by armbar at 4:59 of the final round. Yushin Okami fought for the middleweight title against Anderson Silva in 2011, while Caol Uno fought BJ Penn to a draw in a vacant lightweight title bout in 2003.
Taira, who is ranked No. 3 at flyweight, made his own case for a title shot when he stopped former champion Brandon Moreno via TKO at UFC 323 in December 2025. That finish marked the first time Moreno had ever been stopped in professional MMA competition.
Kazushi Sakuraba captured the UFC Japan Heavyweight Tournament crown in 1997. He remains the only Japanese athlete to capture UFC gold in any form. This was a tournament only title, not a division title.
Horiguchi’s Path Back to the UFC
Horiguchi (35-5) left the UFC in 2017 after a three-fight winning streak, departing as a free agent to compete in Rizin. During his time away, he captured the Rizin bantamweight championship, the Bellator bantamweight championship, and the Rizin flyweight title. He vacated his Rizin flyweight belt in March 2025 to re-enter the UFC.
The American Top Team fighter has won six consecutive bouts, including his submission of Ulanbekov in his UFC return. He now faces Albazi (17-2), who has been inactive since a decision loss to Moreno at UFC Edmonton in late 2024 due to injuries that included heart surgery and a serious spinal issue.
At 35, Horiguchi remains motivated by his goal of proving who the best fighter in the world is at 125 pounds. His coaches at American Top Team have called him the hardest worker at the gym, with head coach Mike Brown describing him as “definitely the most underrated fighter on the planet.
Whether he or Taira claims the distinction of first Japanese-born UFC champion may ultimately depend on who earns a title shot sooner. For Horiguchi, Saturday’s bout represents another step toward that goal.
