Kyoji Horiguchi was in prime form against Amir Albazi. |
Getty/UFC
More than 10 years ago, Kyoji
Horiguchi wasn’t ready to become
UFC champion.
The Japanese standout squared off against pound-for-pound great
Demetrious
Johnson at UFC 186, falling to “Mighty Mouse” via armbar in the
fifth round of their April 2015 championship bout. Horiguchi would
win three more UFC bouts before parting ways with the Las
Vegas-based promotion in 2016. He enjoyed plenty of success in
Rizin and Bellator before returning to the UFC late last year. On
Saturday, he earned his second consecutive victory in the Octagon,
as he cruised past Amir Albazi
in the
UFC Fight Night 266 co-main event.
“I’m better at everything,” Horiguchi said of the difference
between now and then at Saturday’s post-fight press conference.
“Fighting fear, scared, everything, I learn. That’s why I’m strong
right now.”
At 35 years old, Horiguchi appears to still be at the peak of his
powers. With that in mind, he has his sights set on adding UFC
hardware to a trophy case that already includes Rizin and Bellator
belts.
“I don’t care,” Horiguchi said. “I want a belt. If the champion is
[Alexandre] Pantoja, yes Pantoja. If it’s other guy, yes other guy.
That’s all.”
Joshua
Van claimed the flyweight strap when Pantoja suffered an arm
injury early in their UFC 323 encounter this past December. Pantoja
has been a training partner of Horiguchi’s at American Top team,
and the Japanese standout would be more than willing to give the
Brazilian a shot at the title if it comes to that.
“Of course,” Horiguchi said. “He defended it many times. I think
he’s a true champion. It was an accident. I think he’s a true
champion.”
The Perfectionist
While Horiguchi was nearly flawless against Albazi on Satruday, he
still saw plenty of room for improvement.
“Not my best performance – I want to finish him,” Horiguchi
said. “Of course I want to get the belt soon. I will keep training,
go back to Florida and I’m just focused on the belt.”
Horiguchi seemed to be nursing a hand injury as he fulfilled his
media obligations, but he doesn’t expect it to be a significant
hindrance.
“I’m not sure [when I’ll fight next] because maybe my hand is a
little broke, but when I fix this, it doesn’t matter,” Horiguchi
said. “Anywhere, anytime, I can fight.”