UFC re-sign former title challenger 10 years after submission loss to Demetrious Johnson

Kyoji Horiguchi returns to the UFC 10 years after his disappointing title fight for Demetrious Johnson.

Kyoji Horiguchi participated for the first time in the UFC in 2013 and immediately presented that he could become a large star in the promotion.

After four impressive victories in a row, the Japanese star received a title shot against one of the most dominant hunters in the sport ever, Demetrious Johnson.

Unfortunately Horiguchi suffered a loss of submission in the fifth round, and despite the fact that he still achieved some impressive victories under the UFC banner, he left the promotion in 2017.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Kyoji Horiguchi again signs at the UFC

After leaving the UFC, the 34-year-old signed Rizin and continued his impressive career in the sport. The Japanese star even achieved an entry victory on long -ranking -arranged flying weight Manel Kape.

On the same night he defeated Kape, Horiguchi claimed the Rizin Flyweight title after he had eliminated Shintaro Ishiwatari and won the Grand Prix.

In 2018 he then won the vacant title Rizin Bantamweight, and won the Bellator Bantamweight title only a year later.

Horiguchi still ruled as the flight weight champion, announced last Saturday that he will leave his title to sign up at the UFC again.

“I'm going to the UFC. I'm going to be the first Japanese UFC champion,” announced Horiguchi.

Kai Asakura had the opportunity to become the first Japanese champion in the UFC last year when he took on Alexandre Pantoja for the title, which then fell short.

Who will fight Horiguchi in his first fight back in the UFC?

Now that Horiguchi is already in the promotion with a very established name, it is likely that he will be hit at the top immediately.

As they did with Asakura, it would not be a surprise if the 34-year-old received an immediate title shot, where Pantoja continued to look for new challengers in the division.

Although, after winning a new victory in UFC Mexico City last Saturday, Brandon Moreno will be hopeful that he can fight again for the 125 pound title.