The UFC Vegas 113 co-main event found the recently returned Kyoji Horiguchi facing off with Amir Albazi, who had been out of action for over a year.
Flyweight standout Horiguchi had picked up the nickname “The Karate Kid,” in honor of late MMA legend Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto.
One of Japan’s best hopes for a UFC champion, the former title challenger Horiguchi started the fight tying Albazi up along the fence, firing knees to the leg. He could not get Albazi down, however, and “The Prince” soon escaped out. He’d wind up eating a right hand from Horiguchi, with the later then exchanging heavy overhand shots. The Japanese veteran had the edge in speed, but an Albazi punch had him falling backwards over himself. Horiguchi was right back up however; then it was Albazi taking the fight to the fence.
Round two saw Albazi go right back to the same gameplan, pushing Horiguchi against the cage. Within a minute, however, Kyoji had escaped. And was punching his way in, landing three strikes together, while Albazi landed one in return. Albazi was showing a bit of damage on the right temple. Another punch clipped him, a right hand that hit the top of the forehead. Speed was, as it had been in the first, an issue for Amir Albazi. Horiguchi was just a step ahead. His stance switches and volume were starting to catch Albazi looking. After a decent start to the second, Albazi was lagging behind. He’d clinch up in the final minute, but couldn’t hold the position, nor land a takedown.
Horiguchi came out hot in round three, firing a jumping knee, but that allowed Albazi to tie things up. A takedown didn’t truly land, but Albazi kept a body lock in place. He couldn’t keep Kyoji there, and the Japanese star went back on the offensive. Albazi looked overwhelmed. He would take the fight back to the fence, but he’d been bloodied. Albazi needed a finish, and that wasn’t happening.
After his second win since returning to the UFC following stints in Bellator and RIZIN (and earning titles in both), Horiguchi called for a fight with flyweight champ Joshua Van.
Official Result: Kyoji Horiguchi def. Amir Albazi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
