Kyoji Horiguchi

Kyoji Horiguchi
Born October 12, 1990
Other names The Supernova[1]
Residence Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
Nationality Japanese
Height 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division Bantamweight
Flyweight
Reach 66.0 in (168 cm)[2]
Team Krazy Bee
American Kickboxing Academy
Trainer Norifumi Yamamoto
Rank A-Class Shootist
2nd degree black belt in Karate[3]
Years active 2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 17
Wins 15
By knockout 9
By submission 1
By decision 5
Losses 2
By submission 1
By decision 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kyoji Horiguchi (堀口 恭司 Horiguchi Kyōji, born October 12, 1990) is a Japanese mixed martial artist[4] currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2010, Horiguchi is the reigning Shooto Bantamweight Champion.

Background

Horiguchi began training in karate at the age of five and was talented, as he soon began competing in full-contact competitions and went on to become a regional champion.[5] At the age of 16, Horiguchi viewed a PRIDE Fighting Championships event and became drawn to mixed martial arts. Horiguchi began training in mixed martial arts at the Krazy Bee Gym after graduating high school when he was 18 years old.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Horiguchi made his professional MMA debut in 2010, winning a decision over Ranki Kawana. Prior to this, Horiguchi was Bantamweight fighter, Norifumi Yamamoto's sparring partner. Just two fights later he would win the Shooto 2010 Rookie Tournament, finishing Seiji Akao by TKO early in the second round.

His biggest victory up to that time would come over the 2009 Rookie Tournament runner-up, Yuta Nezu. Horiguchi's knockout power was on display early, knocking out Nezu in the first round. His nickname is The Typhoon.

Horiguchi took on the former Shooto Bantamweight Champion, Masakatsu Ueda on January 8, 2012. Ueda controlled most of the bout with his superior grappling, nearly submitting Horiguchi numerous times. He lost by a majority decision.[6]

Horiguchi captured the Shooto Bantamweight Championship on March 16, 2013 when he defeated Hiromasa Ogikubo submitting him in the second round by rear-naked choke.[7]

On June 22, Horiguchi fought Pancrase Bantamweight Champion, Shintaro Ishiwatari, at VTJ 2nd. The two engaged in a competitive, back and forth fight. Many outlets had Ishiwatari leading on the scorecards heading into the final round. Horiguchi rallied early in the fifth round, landing a barrage of punches on Ishiwatari to force the stoppage and defend his title.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Horiguchi made his promotional debut against Dustin Pague on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166.[8] He was victorious in his debut, winning the fight via TKO in the second round.

Horiguchi was expected to face Chris Cariaso in a Flyweight bout on February 1, 2014 at UFC 169.[9] However, Horiguchi pulled out of the bout citing injury[10] and was replaced by WEC veteran Danny Martinez.[11]

Horiguchi faced Darrell Montague on May 10, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

A rescheduled bout with Chris Cariaso was expected to take place on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52.[13] However, Cariaso was pulled from the bout with Horiguchi in favor of a matchup with current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 178.[14] Horiguchi instead faced Jon Delos Reyes.[15] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Horoguchi faced Louis Gaudinot on January 3, 2015 at UFC 182.[16] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Horiguchi faced Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on April 25, 2015 in the main event at UFC 186.[17] Horoguchi lost the one sided fight via an armbar submission at 4:59 of the fifth round, resulting in the latest finish in UFC history.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 15–2 Demetrious Johnson Submission (armbar) UFC 186 April 25, 2015 5 4:59 Montreal, Quebec, Canada For the UFC Flyweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–1 Louis Gaudinot Decision (unanimous) UFC 182 January 3, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–1 Jon delos Reyes TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson September 20, 2014 1 3:48 Saitama, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–1 Darrell Montague Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva May 10, 2014 3 5:00 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Flyweight debut.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–1 Dustin Pague TKO (punches) UFC 166 October 19, 2013 2 3:51 Houston, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–1 Shintaro Ishiwatari TKO (punches) Vale Tudo Japan 2nd June 22, 2013 5 0:41 Tokyo, Japan Defended the Shooto Bantamweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–1 Hiromasa Ogikubo Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: 2nd Round 2013 March 16, 2013 2 1:35 Tokyo, Japan Won the Shooto Bantamweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–1 Ian Loveland Decision (unanimous) Vale Tudo Japan 1st December 24, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–1 Manabu Inoue Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 8th Round July 16, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Tetsu Suzuki TKO (punches) Shooto: 3rd Round March 10, 2012 1 2:06 Tokyo, Japan
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–1 Masakatsu Ueda Decision (majority) Shooto: Survivor Tournament Final January 8, 2012 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Naohiro Mizuno KO (punches) Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 4 September 23, 2011 2 3:26 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Yuta Nezu KO (punch) Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 3 July 18, 2011 1 3:17 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Takahiro Hosoi TKO (punches) Shooto: Shooto Tradition 2011 April 29, 2011 1 1:06 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Seiji Akao TKO (punches) Shooto: The Rookie Tournament 2010 Final December 18, 2010 2 0:43 Tokyo, Japan Won Shooto 2010 Rookie Tournament.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Keita Ishibashi TKO (doctor stoppage) Shooto: Gig Tokyo 5 August 7, 2010 1 2:23 Tokyo, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Ranki Kawana Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Kitazawa Shooto Vol. 3 May 9, 2010 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan

See also

References

  1. ↑ ""The supernova" The possibility that Kyoji Horiguchi showed in the debut match of UFC". sportsnavi(Japanese HP). Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  2. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 186 Johnson vs. Horiguchi". UFC.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Kyoji Horiguchi - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Kyoji Horiguchi Smashes Tetsu Suzuki at Shooto 2012 3rd Round". Sherdog. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sebastian Stein (May 2, 2014). "Japan's Karate Kid: Kyoji Horiguchi". fightland.vice.com.
  6. ↑ Horiguchi Falls to Ueda "Kyoji Horiguchi Falls to Ueda - Full Video Included". mma-japan.com. Retrieved 2012-01-18.
  7. ↑ Marchand, Dean (16 March 2013). "Bantamweight Prospect Kyoji Horiguchi Captures Gold, Caol Uno Wins at Shooto ‘2nd Round 2013’". Sherdog. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  8. ↑ Staff (2013-09-13). "Kyoji Horiguchi UFC Bound – Faces Dustin Pague At UFC 166". asianmma.com. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  9. ↑ Staff. "Kyoji Horiguchi drops to flyweight, meets Chris Cariaso at UFC 169". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  10. ↑ Dann Stupp (2014-01-15). "Kyoji Horiguchi drops off UFC 169 card". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  11. ↑ Dann Stupp (2014-01-15). "Danny Martinez gets call for octagon debut at UFC 169". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  12. ↑ Matt Erickson (2014-02-21). "Horoguchi-Montague added to UFC Fight Night in Cincinnati". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  13. ↑ Dave Meltzer (2014-06-26). "Akiyama, Yamamoto, Gomi all set to compete on UFC's Sept. 20 show". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-06-26.
  14. ↑ Staff (2014-07-15). "Champ Demetrious Johnson faces Chris Cariaso at UFC 177". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  15. ↑ Jacob Cooper (2014-08-08). "Kyoji Horiguchi faces Jon Delos Reyes at UFC Fight Night 52". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  16. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2014-10-17). "Flyweight contenders Kyoji Horiguchi, Louis Gaudinot meet at UFC 182". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  17. ↑ Staff (2015-02-10). "Champ Demetrious Johnson vs. Kyoji Horiguchi is UFC 186's new co-main event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
  18. ↑ Alex Schlinsky (2015-04-26). "UFC 186 results: Demetrious Johnson dominates, submits Kyoji Horiguchi in last second of title fight". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2015-04-26.

External links