Las Vegas — Japanese flyweight Kyoji Horiguchi is back in action this Saturday as part of UFC Vegas 113, having returned to the UFC late last year after years away.
Horiguchi (35-5, 1NC) admitted during Wednesday’s media day that his “dream is in the cage,” as he sets his sights on a UFC title. Which means he’s happy to be back in action so quickly.
“Of course I’m happy, because it’s my job. That’s why I accepted this fight,” Horiguchi told media outlets including Cageside Press.
The flyweight division is in a strange place right now. Alexandre Pantoja suffered an injury in his fight with Josh Van back in December, with the belt changing hands as a result. Brandon Moreno headlines UFC Mexico City this month, but with Asu Almabayev dropping out, it’s Lone’er Kavanagh, ranked #15, stepping in.
Horiguchi revealed to the media in Las Vegas that he had been asked about the fight, but only agreed to take it if he defeated UFC Vegas 113 opponent Amir Albazi.
“Yeah. Two days ago, yeah. They offered me, but I answered to them, if I win the fight, I can do it,” noted Horiguchi. “But if I lose, I can’t.”
Waiting for a UFC champion for years, Japan now has two contenders in the flyweight division in Kyoji Horiguchi and Tatsuro Taira. It seems Horiguchi isn’t concerned about Taira beating him to the punch.
“I think [Taira could win the belt first], but I don’t give a sh*t. Anyway, I will get the belt,” exclaimed Horiguchi. “First, second, it doesn’t matter. I will get it.”
The American Top Team star isn’t worried about having to wait for a shot, with Taira, and possibly Pantoja, ahead of him in line. “I don’t give a sh*t.”
Horiguchi has had a front row seat for the rise of another Japanese UFC star, Rinya Nakamura. Bantamweight Nakamura is 4-1 inside the octagon to date, after earning a contract on Road to UFC.
“Things are going pretty well for him. And for the Road to UFC, Japanese fighters have opportunities to earn contracts in the UFC, so that’s going to be a great challenge for them. Yeah, Rinya has earned it, and he’s got the chance.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 113 media day appearance by Kyoji Horiguchi above.
