Kyoji Horiguchi
Active 2014–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 84.0
Scouting report
Kyoji Horiguchi challenged for the UFC Flyweight Championship before winning titles in both RIZIN and Bellator. Hailing from Takasaki, Gunma, Japan, Horiguchi trains Shotokan karate distance control alongside American Top Team wrestling, built around in-and-out blitzes and right-hand counters, reflected in an 89 Kickboxing and 90 Cardio.
Peak ratings
By edition
Horiguchi won twice in 2014, beating Darrell Montague by decision and Jon delos Reyes by first-round TKO. This earned him a championship bout against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 186 in April 2015, where he was submitted with one second remaining in round five. His blitzing footwork and combinations are reflected in an 84 Boxing and 88 Cardio.
In 2016, Horiguchi earned unanimous decisions over Neil Seery in Rotterdam and Ali Bagautinov in Belfast at UFC Fight Night 99, showing takedown defense and in-and-out combinations before moving to Rizin in Japan. His striking and defensive mobility across both appearances are reflected in an 85 Boxing and 86 Fight IQ.
Kyoji Horiguchi, karate distance from Takasaki
Kyoji Horiguchi came out of Takasaki, Japan, with a Shotokan karate background and later trained at American Top Team in Florida. He challenged Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title in 2015 and lost by armbar at 4:59 of the fifth round. He then won titles in Rizin and Bellator. His style relies on in-and-out blitzes and right-hand counters, and he controls range better than most flyweights. Opponents often found themselves swinging at the spot where he had just been.
Horiguchi's ratings, in plain terms
Boxing. Very good. His right hand counters are precise and fast, and they punish anyone who lunges.
Kickboxing. His best striking skill. Karate-style kicks and darting entries that arrive before the other man reacts.
Wrestling. Solid. He is capable of takedowns and defends them well enough to keep fights where he wants them.
BJJ. Fair. He can defend but is not a submission threat, and the Johnson armbar showed the limit.
Strength. His lowest number. He is a small fighter who relies on speed instead of leverage.
Durability. Good. He can absorb some punishment and recover.
Cardio. His top rating. He keeps a fast pace across five rounds.
Fight IQ. High. He reads distance well and adjusts from round to round.
Cardio at 90 anchors his style
Horiguchi moves in and out constantly, and that pace requires stamina. His cardio is the best number on his card. In a long simulation, he keeps the same tempo while other fighters slow down, and the in-and-out entries stay sharp in round five. It is the trait that makes his distance game work for a full fight and not just for a round.
Strength is the weakest area
At 73, Strength is his lowest number. A strong wrestler who can grab and hold him can stop his movement and force him to grapple. That is the kind of fight where his speed matters least. Fill the rest of your lineup with fighters who are good at stopping that plan.
Keep exploring
Closest flyweight profiles to Kyoji Horiguchi, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Manel Kapebest boxing 88 · weakest strength 75
- Sergio Pettisbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 70
- Kai Kara-Francebest boxing 89 · weakest bjj 72
- Matheus Nicolaubest cardio 86 · weakest strength 71
- Flyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Kyoji Horiguchi's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Kyoji Horiguchi into your build
Kyoji Horiguchi enters the pool on any spin landing on flyweight between 2014 and 2017. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Kyoji Horiguchi is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Kyoji Horiguchi's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.