Kyoji Horiguchi

Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Horiguchi (-350); Albazi (+275)

Round 1
The flyweight title picture is foggy given the unknown status of ex-champ Alexandre Pantoja, while current beltholder Joshua Van is practically begging for the next challenge. It could come from this co-headliner that pits Albazi (17-2, 5-1 UFC) against Horiguchi (35-5, 1 NC; 8-1 UFC), depending on how everything else shakes out. Referee Keith Peterson is on this one. Better not be any nonsense while he’s on top of things.
Horiguchi offers a glove touch, and Albazi shakes his head and wants to fight. When the bout begins, he marches forward but pulls back before engaging. Horiguchi’s open stance and active movement give him pause, as Horiguchi lands first with a low kick from an unorthodox angle. The fighter from Japan hurls a one-two over the top and slams a low kick after. Horiguchi ducks down to avoid a strike and change levels, where he pushes “The Prince” up against the links. Knees come from both fighters, and Peterson tells them they need more than this. Horiguchi decides to break off and find a new way in. He jumps forward with a knee that he does not raise up, and he avoids a right hand counter to score with a couple punches.
Albazi bullies the Japanese fighter back, looping a big right hand at him but getting caught with one as well. Horiguchi slips in a left hook and a one-two, beating the larger Albazi to the punch and reddening his nose. Horiguchi pins down a one-two on the beak, and Albazi waves him on. They both wing hooks at one another, and a big left hand sends Horiguchi somersaulting backwards. Horiguchi springs back up, and the power of Albazi has caught him by surprise. Albazi drops to a knee when going after his man, and he grabs hold of the body and knees Horiguchi in the chest. Albazi lets go of the attempt and keeps him pinned against the cage for some time, until Horiguchi wants to escape and does. Horiguchi sticks Albazi with a left hand and stutter-steps his way in to deliver a body kick to the ribs. The round ends with plenty of feints.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Albazi
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Albazi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Albazi

Round 2
Albazi moves right to the center of the cage, darting away from a big right hand and a kick but getting clipped when charging in. Albazi jams Horiguchi up against the fence, dropping low for a double and clasping his hands around the waist. Horiguchi breaks that grip and frames off with his knee, and he escapes without much concern. Horiguchi finds his range and scores on Albazi, marking up the Iraqi athlete with punches including a left hand that opens a cut on the temple. Horiguchi darts in and out, throwing Albazi off-balance and blasting him with a right hand that wobbles him. Albazi backs away quickly to gather his thoughts, and Horiguchi is on him, cracking him with another left that draws a wobble. Horiguchi plants a one-two on the chin, and his speed is frazzling “The Prince.”
Albazi tries to stalk down Horiguchi, who is out of range or the way when Albazi gets to him. Horiguchi keeps his hands moving constantly to never let Albazi establish a pattern, and his right and left find their home on the sides of Albazi’s head. Albazi is taking shots and trying to throw back, but Horiguchi is far more active and accurate. Albazi reaches with a right, producing a mouse under Horiguchi’s left eye, and the Japanese fighter pays it no mind. Horiguchi ducks, dips and dodges to get on the inside, where he uses a right hand so that he can initiate a tie-up. Albazi muscles him around, leaning heavily on him and even briefly holding him from behind, but Horiguchi is able to scoot away and reset. Horiguchi lashes out with a right hand and a jab, and he spins with a wheel kick that bangs into the side of Albazi’s head. Albazi blinks it out and is caught with a front kick to the body, and Horiguchi sticks him with a right hand at the horn.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
The very first strike of the last round comes two seconds in, with "The Karate Kid" clipping Albazi behind the ear. Albazi is quick to back off, and Horiguchi leaps at him with a flying knee. Albazi grabs him on the way down and looks to wrestle him, dragging Horiguchi around the cage from behind when Horiguchi tries to spin out. Albazi looks to trip out his foe from behind, and Horiguchi posts off his right arm to stay afloat. Horiguchi leans his face on the fence to take some weight off his frame, and Albazi slashes with an elbow on the break. Horiguchi is right on him, striking out with long jabs that bloody Albazi’s nose further. Horiguchi beats Albazi to the punch with a right hand, and he is able to break up Albazi’s attempt as well. Horiguchi connects with a flush left hand on the temple, and Albazi takes a second before realizing that he is way more hurt than he realizes. His legs almost give out like a baby deer, but he is able to get away and avoid a spinning wheel kick by a matter of inches.
Albazi grabs hold of Horiguchi to slow down the assault, but he cannot keep him there for long as Horiguchi breaks free and plugs him with a left hand. Albazi stumbles back and trips on the edge of the wall, regaining his footing and returning to the center of the Octagon. Horiguchi’s jab is money, messing up Albazi’s timing and further disrupting his balance. Albazi’s face is rapidly transforming to that of the Doomguy when taking damage, as it dissolves to a bloody mess. He pushes the action despite the wounds, pushing Horiguchi back and popping him with a right hand. Horiguchi splits out of the clinch to flick out his jab, and he swipes out a left, a right and a chasing left hand to make Albazi stumble yet again. A hug is where the flyweight fight ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi (29-28 Horiguchi)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi (29-28 Horiguchi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi (29-28 Horiguchi)

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Amir Albazi via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ulanbekov (-200); Horiguchi (+170)

Round 1
Originally unceremoniously dumping the return of former title challenger Horiguchi (34-5, 1 NC; 7-1 UFC) on the prelims, the UFC came to its senses and put him on the main card. With his lone defeat in the Octagon after eight walks against all-time great Demetrious Johnson, Horiguchi is back at the age of 35 to go on another run. He will have to contend with surging Dagestani Ulanbekov (17-2, 6-1 UFC), who has technically never knocked someone out—his only TKO win came when he made Almabayev tap to strikes in 2017. What should be a solid flyweight tilt will be officiated by referee Rich Mitchell. Gloves are touched before the fists inside of them fly.
Horiguchi says hello right out of the gate with a sweeping low kick. He kicks the Russian who has a wide stance again, staying well out of range otherwise. Ulanbekov’s response goes wide, and Horiguchi whiffs with a fireball of a right hand that buzzes the tower. Ulanbekov digs a kick to the side of his foe, and Horiguchi releases another hard leg kick. Ulanbekov kicks him back, and he tries to stumble his way into a takedown shot but Horiguchi is way out of harm’s way. Horiguchi just misses a huge right, and he walks through a knee to the body so he can wrest Ulanbekov to his knees. The Russian pops out of this odd position and back to his feet, and he stalks the shorter man down. Horiguchi is light on his feet strafing from side to side, and he bounces his way in and escapes before Ulanbekov can set up a clinch. Horiguchi works the leg that is welting fast with another kick.
Ulanbekov pushes out with the ball of his foot, and Horiguchi ducks down to hurl a left hand at his foe. The Dagestan native gets Horiguchi in his clutches and shoves him to the fence, and he uses the posture to knee Horiguchi one or twice before sweeping the former Rizin champ to his seat. Horiguchi stays composed with his backside on the corner between the floor and the wall, slowly working his way upright with the fencing at his back. Horiguchi separates before absorbing much offense, and he darts in with a left hand that is shy of his intended target. Leg kicks fly from both flyweights, and Horiguchi rings Ulanbekov’s bell with a solid right. He lands another and chains it into a jumping switch kick to the torso. Horiguchi kicks Ulanbekov in the calf and trips, but he gets back up no worse for wear and lets his hands fly until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 2
The fighters double clap their hands before engaging. When they start fighting, Horiguchi blasts the Russian with a right hand and kicks his leg out with a powerful blow. Ulanbekov falls to his back, and the American Top Team corner bellows out nearly in unison for him to Horiguchi to start lashing out with elbows. Ulanbekov bides his time on his back and sets up a guillotine choke from his back, and Horiguchi stands up to pull his way out of the choke. Horiguchi lands strikes from on top to bust up the Russian’s nose, and Ulanbekov spins to get to his knees. Horiguchi drapes himself on the back of Ulanbekov’s neck to keep him grounded, and he threatens with a knee to the face when Ulanbekov pushes off to stand. This keeps Ulanbekov down so he does not get blasted with no way to defend himself.
Ulanbekov wall-walks to stand up, appearing a bit labored compared to the Japanese fighter with a spring in his step. Horiguchi lets go with body shots, including a powerful kick to the ribs, and Ulanbekov keeps a stiff upper lip but is feeling it now. When Ulanbekov tries for a level change, Horiguchi stifles it and forces him to stand back up. Horiguchi fires off a head kick, and he allows Ulanbekov to try to wrestle him so he can keep him grounded and work on him. This continues until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
The fighters touch gloves, and it is clear who is in the driver’s seat at this point. Feeling himself, Horiguchi fires off a kick that sets up a massive flying left hook. Ulanbekov crumbles to the mat, and Horiguchi follows him down and continues to bludgeon him mercilessly. When Ulanbekov scoots his way to the wall, Horiguchi hammers him with right hands that appear to open a cut on his left eyebrow. Ulanbekov stands, and Horiguchi backs off and measures a picturesque head kick as Ulanbekov was planning on changing levels. Horiguchi follows up with a right hand that puts Ulanbekov down for the count on his backside. Horiguchi darts down to the ground and decides that rather than strike, he will remind fans that he has some submission chops too.
He promptly sinks his forearm beneath the Russian’s jaw and cinches up a rear-naked choke, and Ulanbekov has nothing left to offer in defense. Horiguchi cranks on it and tells Mitchell that he believes Ulanbekov went out, but Ulanbekov is still with it…for now. Going out on his shield, the Eagles MMA fighter does not surrender, and Mitchell recognizes when Ulanbekov passes out and intervenes.
Medical professionals attend to the defeated man, who cones to and is crestfallen after suffering his first stoppage loss. Horiguchi is back and bad to the bone, and he calls for a title shot against teammate Alexandre Pantoja, declaring while sporting an ear-to-ear smile, “I will beat your ass!”

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Tagir Ulanbekov R3 2:18 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Ali Bagautinov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

Round 1
Bagautinov comes in with a leg kick in the first exchange, while Horiguchi misses a counter. About a minute in and both flyweight contenders are still feeling each other out. Bagautinov comes with a flying knee followed by a kick to the body. Horiguchi goes for a knee of his own, which Bagautinov catches and converts into a takedown. “The Puncher King” rides his foe near the fence, but the Japanese fighter gets up and turns Bagautinov into the cage. Horiguchi lands short knees on the inside. Horiguchi attempts to drag Bagautinov to the floor with a body lock. The Japanese fighter grapevines Bagautinov’s leg as he lands short punches to the side of the head. Horiguchi continues to hammer away as we approach the 1:00 mark. Bagautinov works his way up and eventually reverses the position. The Dagestani fighter slams his man down from the body lock position, but Horiguchi gets up quickly. The flyweights end the frame standing.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 2
Bagautinov just misses on a spinning high kick. Horiguchi pressures his foe near the fence and ties up with the “Puncher King.” Horiguchi lands a couple knees and separates. Bagautinov lands a two-punch combo in an exchange. Horiguchi buckles Bagautinov with a punch, and the American Top Team product pushes Bagautinov into the fence. Horiguchi grinds away, then lands a left hand on the break. A body kick form Bagautinov finds its mark. Horiguchi throws a combination and Bagautinov ties his man up. Horiguchi turns Bagautinov into the fence and gets him down. He grapevines the leg and begins landing short right hands to the side of the head. The shots aren’t especially powerful, but Horiguchi is staying busy. Bagautinov stands and grabs a single leg. Horiguchi maintains his balance and Bagautinov lets go. The fighters again end the frame on the feet.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
Bagautinov throws a body kick but it’s partially blocked. Baguatinov lands several punches in an exchange, but Horiguchi finds his mark as well. Bagautinov looks for a takedown. Horiguchi defends and lands some elbows to the side of the head. Bagautinov switches to a single leg but that’s unsuccessful and they separate. Horiguchi rushes forward with a multi-punch combination. Horiguchi lands a spinning back kick to the side of Bagautinov’s head, but it’s a glancing blow. After another exchange, Bagautinov shoots for a single leg against the fence. Horiguchi responds with more elbows to the side of the head. Horiguchi turns out and returns to the center of the Octagon. Bagautinov shoots again and pushes his man into the fence. Bagautinov drives for the takedown, but Horiguchi denies him. Horiguchi catches Bagautinov with a knee to the head as the Dagestani moves forward. Horiguchi pushes Bagautinov against the fence and changes levels for a takedown. Bagautinov returns to his feet but can’t offer any more offense as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Ali Bagautinov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Neil Seery

Round 1
Horiguchi flashes a body kick at the onset and then tags Seery with a hard right hand. The next punch from Horiguchi sends Seery slumping to the mat, but the Irishman recovers quickly and tangles up as Horiguchi pounces. One minute into the round, Seery works back to his feet, but 10 seconds later, Horiguchi has dumped him to the canvas again. Horiguchi stands and stacks up Seery to escape an armbar attempt, but he allows “2 Tap” to climb back to his feet again in the process. Horiguchi lands another cracking right hand on the incoming Seery, then plunges a straight left down the center and puts Seery on his seat again. Seery is getting lit up on the feet and may be dropping to guard intentionally, as he’s quickly able to stand when Horiguchi gives him the space. Inside the two-minute mark, Horiguchi lands a takedown and passes to side control on Seery’s right, looking for full mount or a mounted crucifix. Seery squirms underneath and escapes to his feet once more, only to be met with more Horiguchi punches and a hard kick to the gut.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 2
Horiguchi closes the distance in a hurry, swinging heavy punches in Seery’s direction before wrapping up the veteran on the fence. He trips Seery to the ground but can’t do much with the position before abandoning it, and now the flyweights return to striking. Seery ties up and tries a head-and-arm throw, but he’s stuffed by Horiguchi and has to defend a takedown from the rear waistlock position. The fighters are back to swinging punches once again as they hit the midway point of the round and the fight. Horiguchi scores with a few hard kicks to the inside of southpaw Seery’s lead leg. Now it’s a kick to the body from Horiguchi, a right hand on the ribs and a two-piece combo to Seery’s face. Seery is hanging tough but it’s Horiguchi’s speed and power winning the day so far. Inside 30 seconds, Horiguchi changes levels and plows Seery to the ground near the fence, and that’s where the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
Horiguchi sticks to the outside for the first minute and then comes in to clinch with Seery on the fence. A takedown goes for the Krazy Bee fighter, but again Seery is able to maneuever his way back to his feet. Seery may have done better to stay on the mat, as Horiguchi begins scoring with hard right hands to the body and head once the striking exchanges resume. At the halfway mark, Seery shoots for Horiguchi’s legs at the fence, but Horiguchi turns him around. It’s a late takedown for Horiguchi with under 90 seconds left to fight. Seery works his way back up the fence and takes a couple knees to the gut before he’s able to circle away. Seery tries to barge inside for a clinch or trip takedown, but he’s reversed and placed on his back by Horiguchi one final time.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Neil Seery via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Chico Camus

Round 1
Horiguchi cuts angles on the outside and throws a leg kick, then a body shot at Camus in the center. Camus eats a right hand upstairs and tries to grab hold of Horiguchi, but the Japanese prospect slips free and moves back to the outside. Horiguchi scores with a lunging overhand right, shoots for a takedown and has to fight his way out of Camus’ Thai clinch. From his back foot, Horiguchi catches Camus with a counter right hook. Camus stuffs another high double-leg attempt and then grabs a standing rear waistlock as he catching Horiguchi missing a spinning backfist. Horiguchi turns around, but Camus lands a knee in the clinch before Horiguchi can get away. Lots of circling from both guys as the round hits the final 90 seconds. Camus is keeping control of the center and catching Horiguchi with sporadic right hands down the stretch.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Camus

Round 2
The flyweights get straight to business with a punching exchange in the center, and Horiguchi comes away with the hardest shot, a big right hand on the cheek that has Camus backing up. Another shot lands on top of Camus’ head, and as he turns to sprint away, Horiguchi tries to jump on his back. Camus blocks the back-take and escapes, but Horiguchi continues to tag him from range, rocking Camus with one-twos and mixing in a few hard kicks to the body. Camus is finding a counter right hand here and there, but Horiguchi is starting to overwhelm the American with volume in the first half. The pace slows a bit near the middle of the round, but now Horiguchi comes alive with another combination and a left hook behind it that worsens Camus’ already cut right cheek. Camus returns the favor by bloodying Horiguchi’s nose with a jab, but Horiguchi gets him back with a short left hook. Camus answers with a right cross, backs up to the center and takes a plunging left hand on the chin. Horiguchi finishes the round by knocking Camus’ head back with a straight right.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
Horiguchi ducks under a right hand from Camus and presses the American against the cage, but Camus breaks away after only a few seconds. Camus is chasing Horiguchi around the outside until he’s forced to back off when Horiguchi slaps his face with a left high kick. Backpedaling away from Camus’ quick jabs, Horiguchi continues to find a home for his counter hook. The flyweights circle and parry punches in the last two minutes, but there’s not much landing cleanly. With 30 seconds left, Horiguchi has a shot stuffed and comes back to crack Camus with a blistering right hand. Camus staggers back to the fence, Horiguchi tries to polish him off but can’t find the mark. Camus recovers within a few seconds and comes off the fence swinging just as time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (29-28 Horiguchi)

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Chico Camus via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

UFC Flyweight Title Fight: Demetrious Johnson vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

Round 1
Canadian referee Yves Lavigne is the third man in the cage for tonight’s championship bout, with judges Richard Bertrand, Sal D’Amato and David Therien scoring at cageside. Horiguchi opens with a kick to the body, and Johnson switches stances a few times before settling in orthodox. Back to southpaw goes Johnson, landing a reaching right hand on the backpedaling challenger. Johnson lands a couple kicks on Horiguchi’s lead leg, then stumbles backward as he dodges a combination. Johnson catches a body kick and rushes Horiguchi against the fence, dropping levels to work an ankle pick. Horiguchi spreads out his base and stays standing, so Johnson comes back up to pin him on the cage with an underhook. Horiguchi raises a knee to defend body shots and soon escapes the clinch. Back to the center go the flyweights. Johnson closes the distance, moving Horiguchi toward the cage again, and lands a few speedy right hands upstairs before hitting a double-leg takedown. With 90 seconds remaining, Johnson has Horiguchi seated at the base of the fence, where he pops the challenger with a pair of shoulder shrugs to the face. Horiguchi stands and disengages with 55 seconds on the clock, then puts a hard kick on Johnson’s lead leg. Horiguchi leaps into range with a flying knee and sprawls as Johnson tries to hit another double.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 2
Johnson rushes Horiguchi to start round two, landing a flying knee behind a flurry of punches. Horiguchi retaliates with a burst of his own, a left hook touching the jaw of “Mighty Mouse” before Horiguchi finishes with a clean jump knee. Horiguchi puts Johnson on the fence, reaps a leg and trips him to the ground. The challenger tries to wrap up Johnson’s legs but can’t keep him down. Johnson stands and gets socked in the face with a left hand before Horiguchi sprints away. Horiguchi cuts angles on the outside now, ducking under a punch but succumbing to a body lock takedown behind it. Johnson tries to pull out Horiguchi’s legs and pass to mount, but Horiguchi finds the space to stand up. Johnson keeps him near the fence for a few seconds until he can change levels for another takedown with 2:00 on the clock. Horiguchi posts and stands, taking a knee to the chest along the way. The flyweights dash to the other side of the cage, where Johnson scores another easy takedown. Again, Horiguchi is able to stand up, and the 125ers move back to the center. They only stay there for a few seconds, then it’s another takedown from “Mighty Mouse” up against the fence. Johnson stands to drive a knee into Horiguchi’s chest, allowing the Japanese fighter to stand as well. Horiguchi catches a body kick but can’t capitalize, as Johnson catches him with an overhand right on the other side and scores one more takedown to close out the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 3
Johnson ducks a punch, slips around the back to wrap up Horiguchi and then releases. The champ shoots for a long takedown against the fence and gets sprawled on, and Horiguchi circles off the fence one minute into the round. Johnson catches up with him a few seconds later and gets the takedown he wanted. Horiguchi sits up at the fence, then stands and tries to pry away Johnson’s hands. Horiguchi breaks free and catches Johnson chasing after him with a looping left hand on the ear. Halfway through the round now, Johnson tags Horiguchi with a punching combination, drops levels and grounds him with a takedown a few feet from the fence. Horiguchi holds Johnson in half guard, pushes him back to full guard, but Johnson jumps right over to side control with 90 seconds on the clock. Johnson seems to be thinking about a kimura on the far side, can’t trap the arm and instead socks Horiguchi in the face with a couple short punches. Johnson gets a mounted crucifix with 30 seconds to go and drops some peppering left hands on Horiguchi’s head to end the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 4
Johnson opens the championship rounds with a kick to Horiguchi’s midsection, and the challenger comes back with a right hand over the top. Horiguchi sprawls on a shot, catches a kick from Johnson but can’t capitalize. Johnson closes the distance and grabs a standing rear-waist lock, then moves to the front as Horiguchi puts his back against the fence. They break from the clinch, Johnson comes back grabbing for a single, but Horiguchi defends. The next takedown attempt from Johnson lands, but Horiguchi is quickly back on his feet, jogging back to the center. A low kick from Johnson takes out the lead leg of Horiguchi, who stands a split second before Johnson can catch up to him. Johnson slips under a punch to grab another single-leg, but this time Horiguchi stands and reverses to push the champ against the fence. The flyweights disengage, Horiguchi now bleeding from his nose. Horiguchi swings into range with a noticeably slower right hand, tries to hold Johnson on the fence but cannot. Horiguchi finishes the round leaping at Johnson with a knee and gets cut off by a body kick.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 5
Johnson hits a quick takedown in the middle of the cage, then passes to side control as Horiguchi tries an ineffective rubber guard. Horiguchi throws up leg scissors, but it’s only a few seconds before Johnson pops his head free and passes completely to the challenger’s right side. Horiguchi tries to twist around and put Johnson in guard but winds up on his belly, then on his knees as the flyweights work over to the fence. Johnson tries to take the back, so Horiguchi stands up, and now they’re back in the middle with 3:30 on the clock. Johnson grabs a leg and scores another easy takedown straight to side control. Johnson tries the kimura again, loses it and tries to take Horiguchi’s back as they stand. Horiguchi dashes away, but once again Johnson catches up to him and drags him to the mat. Horiguchi is breathing heavy, sitting up against a cage post as Johnson controls his legs. Johnson flattens him out and moves to side control on Horiguchi’s left, then tries to take his back when the challenger sits up. The cage blocks Johnson’s progress, so he stands up and drills Horiguchi with a knee to the chest. Horiguchi stands with under one minute remaining and walks forward on Johnson, who dumps him to the ground one last time. Johnson gets a crucifix from side control and starts dropping unfettered right hands. With seconds remaining, Johnson switches to an armbar, extends Horiguchi’s right arm all the way and coaxes a tap just before the final horn sounds.

The Official Result
Demetrious Johnson def. Kyoji Horiguchi via Submission (Armbar) R5 4:59

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Louis Gaudinot

Round 1
Gaudinot opens up with some inside leg kicks, including one which nearly knocks Horiguchi to the ground. The Japanese prospect keeps his balance and resets in the center of the cage, switching from southpaw to orthodox stance. Horiguchi flashes some kicks of his own, using a push kick to the stomach to send Gaudinot backwards. Horiguchi lands a right hand to the body of Gaudinot, who counters with a kick to the gut, then another a few seconds later. Horiguchi has a pair of punches blocked, so he uses another push kick to back up the American. Gaudinot keeps a high guard to block Horiguchi’s punches but keeps taking hard shots to the gut. Horiguchi instigates a clinch on the cage and drags Gaudinot to the ground, but “Goodnight” is back up a second later and finishes the round on his feet.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Gaudinot
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2
Horiguchi puts together a body kick-right hand combination that knocks Gaudinot backward to the fence. Gaudinot recovers quickly and steps forward on Horiguchi, who hits him with an unintentional kick to the cup. Referee Herb Dean calls time but Gaudinot only needs a few seconds to recover. As Horiguchi rushes into range, Gaudinot tries to jump guard with a standing arm-triangle choke. Horiguchi seems unconcerned as he throws short punches at Gaudinot’s head until the New Yorker releases the choke and drops back to his feet. Horiguchi keeps the green-haired flyweight pressed on the fence for a few seconds, then backs out. With 1:40 left in the round, Horiguchi strikes with a pair of punches and a left high kick. Gaudinot circles the outside until Horiguchi catches up to blast him with a straight right hand. The right-handed counter is there for Horiguchi the next two times Gaudinot gets into range. Horiguchi catches a kick and slugs Gaudinot with a right straight before dumping him to the ground to end the second period.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
Gaudinot backs up Horiguchi with an early right hand, but the Krazy Bee fighter recovers quickly and comes back to launch a couple kicks in Gaudinot’s direction. Horiguchi comes down the center with a hard right, then cracks Gaudinot’s body with a loud kick. Good work from Horiguchi on both ends now, as he explodes forward with short bursts of offense -- right straights and body kicks -- and then sits back to answer Gaudinot’s advances with left-handed counterpunches. The flyweights clash kicks and Gaudinot apologizes for a possible low blow, but Horiguchi wants to fight on. Gaudinot looks to jump guard with a guillotine in the final 70 seconds but can’t get Horiguchi’s neck. Instead, they wind up in a clinch on the fence, Horiguchi on the outside. They break and wind up back in the center of the cage, trading strikes as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (29-28 Horiguchi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-28 Horiguchi)

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Louis Gaudinot via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Jon delos Reyes

Round 1
The southpaw Horiguchi bobs in and out with his hands low, looking for a chance to strike. Just before the 30-second mark, he unloads a ferocious left roundhouse kick to the body which instantly has delos Reyes grabbing his ribs. Horiguchi is on him in a heartbeat, pummeling him to the ground and forcing him into survival mode. Delos Reyes ties Horiguchi up and holds half guard while Horiguchi muscles him on top and controls his head. Delos Reyes uses double butterfly guard to elevate Horiguchi and get back to his feet. Delos Reyes gets in a body kick of his own, so Horiguchi returns with another. Delos Reyes explodes at Horiguchi with a flying knee which is mostly blocked. Horiguchi ties delos Reyes up for a moment and then separates. The Guam fighter lands an outside leg kick, but Horiguchi is waiting on it, ready to pounce: the Krazy Bee rep absorbs the leg kick and rips through delos Reyes with a perfectly-placed left hook that sends him reeling across the cage. Horiguchi is on “The Heat” with both guns blazing, landing hooks, then heavy knees which force him to the mat. Delos Reyes tries to hang on to Horiguchi, but the former Shooto standout is a machine. Horiguchi hammers delos Reyes with both hands, forces him to the turtle position and keeps crushing until referee Steve Perceval has mercy on delos Reyes.

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Jon delos Reyes via TKO (Punches) R1 3:48

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Darrell Montague

Round 1
The flyweights take the better part of one minute to engage, and when they do, it’s Horiguchi coming down the center with a straight right and following with a leg kick. An overhand right from Horiguchi misses as Montague push-kicks him out of range. Two minutes in, Montague shoots low and easily floors Horiguchi with a takedown. Horiguchi plays with his open guard, controlling Montague’s wrists until the “Mongoose” allows him to stand. Horiguchi counters a low kick with a hard right hand over the top. Horiguchi is showing good movement in the latter half of the round, dipping in and out of range to land single strikes on Montague.

Sherdog Scores
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Javier Vazquez scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 2
Montague gets Horiguchi up against the fence and frames up a standing arm-triangle choke, then jumps guard with a guillotine. Horiguchi puts Montague’s back to the fence and frees his head before backing away and resetting to strike. Montague lands a leg kick, cuts angles on the outside and pops Horiguchi with a counter right hand. Horiguchi strikes back with a right hook and has a high kick blocked, then repeats the sequence. Horiguchi goes to the body, catches Montague leaning over and cracks him with a left hook. Montague sprints away, getting clipped with a right hand on the way out. Horiguchi shuts down a takedown attempt, puts Montague in a headlock and drills him with a knee. Montague is on his knees, eating right hands from Horiguchi, while referee Gary Copeland tells the American to defend himself. With two minutes left, Horiguchi gives up on punching and takes control of his kneeling opponent. When Montague tries to stand, Horiguchi hits a suplex and tacks on a couple more punches. Montague stands and pushes Horiguchi backward with a long left hand. Horiguchi sticks another good left hand up top and then hurts Montague with a hard right to the body. Both men are still firing at the horn, but it’s Montague who goes staggering back to his corner, barely standing.

Sherdog Scores
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Javier Vazquez scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3
Montague misses as he lunges at Horiguchi with a flying knee, then chases after the former Shooto champion and eats a pair of hard counter rights. Horiguchi dives into range with a sweeping left hand and then rips a kick to the body. He dumps Montague to the ground and stands over him, stacking up the American and dropping punches with both hands. Montague escapes to his feet with about two minutes left in the fight. The “Mongoose” is trying to jab his way into range but can’t find the mark. He settles for a kick to the body, but Horiguchi is still landing clean counters when Montague steps into the pocket. Twenty seconds left and Montague connects with a hard right hand upstairs, then a right hook. Both guys are still throwing hands when the final horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Javier Vazquez scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)

The Official Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrell Montague via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Dustin Pague

Round 1
Herb Dean is the referee for tonight’s opening bantamweight contest. Horiguchi circles the outside and scores with a couple leg kicks before being dragged to the ground in an arm-triangle chokesetup. Pague spins around to take the back and locks up a body triangle before Horiguchi can scramble up. Still latched on to Horiguchi’s back, Pague slaps on a rear-naked choke; the American has his right forearm under Horiguchi’s chin, but the Japanese fighter is controlling the left wrist to prevent Pague from finishing the choke. Midway through the round and Pague is still parked on Horiguchi’s back, working for the RNC as the bantamweights lean against the fence. Pague finally releases the body triangle, allowing Horiguchi to spin him around and clinch on the cage. A couple knees to the body land for Pague, and he defends a takedown attempt before they separate. Pague tosses Horiguchi to the mat in the closing seconds and hits him with a couple right hands before Horiguchi reverses and finishes the round with a hard punch of his own.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pague
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pague
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Pague

Round 2
Horiguchi cracks Pague with a leg kick-left hook combination, resets and drops “The Disciple” with another nasty left. The Krazy Bee fighter dives on Pague and tries to pound him out, but Pague grabs hold of a leg and sweeps to the top after absorbing a barrage of punches. Horiguchi powers back to his feet, puts Pague on the fence and trips him to the ground. Pague holds Horiguchi in half-guard but eats some hard right hands to the side of the head. More short right hands score for Horiguchi, then a big one as he sits up. Horiguchi stands in Pague’s guard and slams him with a pair of big lefts, then two vertical rights. Pague is just absorbing punishment, trying to cover up but not offering anything in return, and referee Dean has seen enough.

The Result
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Dustin Pague via TKO (Punches) R2 3:51