Former UFC flyweight title challenger, former Bellator champ and former RIZIN champion Kyoji Horiguchi is headed back to the octagon.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported earlier this month that Horiguchi (34-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was on the verge of striking a deal to return to the UFC for the first time since November 2016. On Friday after X user Andy Hickey noted Horiguchi had recently submitted a drug test under the UFC's anti-doping program.
Then on Saturday, Horiguchi appeared at RIZIN 50 in Japan and announced he was vacating his flyweight championship to return to UFC, and RIZIN will hold a grand prix to crown a new champ in his absense.
“I’m going to the UFC,” Horiguchi said. “I’m going to become the first Japanese UFC champion.”
Horiguchi, 34, excited the UFC after completing his contract on a three-fight winning streak. He moved up to RIZIN, where he captured a title, then on to Bellator, where he also captured the now-defunct organization's bantamweight title.
The Japanese standout hasn't lost a fight since April 2022. He's currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak.
Horiguchi nearly reached the highest of highs in his first UFC tenure. He challenged then-champion Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 185 in April 2015, but was submitted with just one second remaining in the final round.
Now he returns to the octagon, but it is unknown at this time when he will compete, and whether it will be at bantamweight or flyweight.
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RIZIN 49 video: Kyoji Horiguchi survives knockdown, defends title vs. Nkazimulo Zulu
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Makoto Shinryu at Rizin 45: Best photos
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Former RIZIN, Bellator champ Kyoji Horiguchi signs for UFC return
