Kyoji Horiguchi stayed flawless in his return to the octagon as he sliced and diced Amir Albazi across three rounds to win a lopsided decision in the UFC Vegas 113 co-main event.
From the first second until the last, Horiguchi was the faster, more accurate fighter on the feet as he blasted Albazi with lighting quick combinations that did maximum damage. There were several moment was Albazi was battled wobbled but he showed great spirit to survive, although Horiguchi was in clear control until he secured the victory to move to 2-0 since returning to the UFC.
“Today’s performance, OK,” Horiguchi said about his win. “I need more, better performance. Next time, OK? Of course, I want a title shot. Who is the champion right now? I want to fight you!”
Showing off his signature speed, Horiguchi was fast on his feet, jumping in to crack Albazi withi strikes and then move away again without much hope for a counter. The right hand from Horiguchi was almost on a rope as he kept finding a home on Albazi’s chin every time he threw it.
With the flyweights trading shots, Albazi finally connected with one of his own that popped Horiguchi and sent him tumbling backwards, although he was quick to recover.
Albazi got busier when the second round started as he moved forward aggressively and trapped Horiguchi against the cage. Horiguchi eventually broke free and then he paid Albazi back by coming forward with a barrage of strikes.
The same right hand for Horiguchi kept paying dividends as he connected with a thudding sound again and again with one punch clearly rocking Albazi. Smelling blood in the water, Horiguchi stayed on the attack but still showed caution, although he was landing with accuracy and power in every exchange.
With five minutes remaining, Horiguchi came out guns blazing looking for the finish, although Albazi survived the early storm and then turned to his wrestling to slow down the former Bellator and RIZIN champion. Unable to score the takedown, Albazi eventually gave up the position and the flyweights reset in the center of the octagon.
That’s when Horiguchi uncorked a huge overhand left that wobbled Albazi and put him on rubber legs. Horiguchi attempted to follow up to get a finish but Albazi was able to survive long enough to recover and look for another takedown to save himself.
When he got free again, Horiguchi continued dishing out punishment with Albazi’s face turning into a bloody mess by the final horn.
A constant threat at flyweight for over a decade, Horiguchi’s return to the UFC was a welcome addition and he’s showing why he’s still one of the best 125-pounders in the world. It remains to be seen if he’ll get a title shot but facing someone in that top five for his next opponent certainly makes a lot of sense.
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