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Former Champ Horiguchi Dominates on UFC Return
22 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Kyoji Horiguchi secured a submission win in his UFC return.
- He defeated Tagir Ulanbekov via rear-naked choke in round three.
- Horiguchi called out teammate and champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Kyoji Horiguchi marked his highly anticipated return to the UFC with a stunning victory over Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Qatar. The former flyweight title challenger, absent from the octagon for nine years, secured a dominant submission win in the third round. Horiguchi showcased his complete skillset, overpowering Ulanbekov with a potent combination of striking and grappling.
After a strategic initial period where he managed Ulanbekov's reach advantage, Horiguchi found his rhythm. The decisive moment came in the third round when a powerful head kick sent Ulanbekov to the canvas. Horiguchi quickly transitioned to a rear-naked choke, forcing Ulanbekov to submit and securing the win.
With this impressive performance, Horiguchi immediately signaled his intent to challenge for the flyweight title. He directly called out his teammate and reigning champion, Alexandre Pantoja, embracing the business aspect of fighting and setting up an intriguing future matchup.
