Horiguchi signs with Rizin FF, set to debut in April
Home is where the heart is.
Such is the case for Kyoji Horiguchi, who's returning to his native Japan to fight under the Rizin FF banner, the promotion announced Monday. According to MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani, the 26-year-old has already been booked to make his Rizin debut opposite fellow countryman and Deep veteran Yuki Motoya on April 16 in Yokohama.
The news comes days after Horiguchi's management announced the flyweight contender had turned down a deal to re-up with the UFC, citing a lack of promotional investment in his future. The Japanese native mounted a 7-1 record in the Octagon, his sole promotional blemish a failed bid to dethrone reigning champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 186. Horiguchi tapped at (literally) the last second of the five-round bout, a stoppage that remains the latest in promotional history.
He takes three consecutive decision victories over Chico Camus, Neil Seery, and - most recently - Ali Bagautinov into his Rizin debut.