{"id":465849,"date":"2026-02-08T05:51:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T05:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/465849\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T05:51:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T05:51:07","slug":"pros-react-as-kyoji-horiguchi-dismantles-amir-albazi-in-tactical-masterclass-at-ufc-vegas-113","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/465849\/","title":{"rendered":"Pros React As Kyoji Horiguchi Dismantles Amir Albazi In Tactical Masterclass At UFC Vegas 113"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier tonight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 113, former Bellator<\/a> and RIZIN champion Kyoji Horiguchi locked horns with Amir Albazi. <\/p>\n

From the opening stanza, the Japanese fighter dictated the pace, constantly switching stances and landing with lightning speed from both angles. \u2018The Prince\u2019 tried to take the fight to the ground, but Horiguchi\u2019s takedown defense was on point.<\/p>\n

In the third round, Horiguchi pushed for the finish, battering Albazi with relentless kicks and crisp one-twos. However, despite being visibly hurt, the Iraqi fighter managed to survive until the final bell.<\/p>\n

After 15 minutes, \u2018Karate Kid\u2019 cruised to a unanimous decision win<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Horiguchi returned to the UFC last November and submitted Tagir Ulanbekov. Now, following his victory over Albazi tonight, the Japanese star has set his crosshairs on the newly crowned flyweight kingpin Joshua Van<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pros react to Kyoji Horiguchi\u2019s UFC Vegas 113 win<\/p>\n

Merab Dvalishvili posted on X:<\/p>\n

\u201cWow, what a performance by Kyoji Horiguchi, he\u2019s going to get flayweight belt \ud83e\uddbe\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 congratulations. \u270a\u201d<\/p>\n

Wow what a performance by Kyoji Horiguchi he\u2019s going to get flayweight belt \ud83e\uddbe\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 congratulations . \u270a<\/p>\n

\u2014 Merab \u201cThe Machine\u201d Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo<\/a> posted:<\/p>\n

\u201cKyoji Horiguchi will be UFC champion by the end of 2026 #UFCVegas113\u201d<\/p>\n

Derek Brunson, who had similar sentiments to Cejudo, wrote on X:<\/p>\n

\u201cOk I\u2019ve seen enough , give Horiguchi the next title shot ! \ud83d\ude02 #UFCVegas113\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Damon Martin posted: <\/p>\n

\u201cI love Kyoji Horiguchi \u2026. But it needs to be Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape next until Alexandre Pantoja is ready to fight again #UFCVegas113\u201d<\/p>\n

I love Kyoji Horiguchi \u2026.<\/p>\n

But it needs to be Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape next until Alexandre Pantoja is ready to fight again #UFCVegas113<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Azamat Bekoev, who would love to watch Kyoji Horiguchi fight for five rounds, wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cHoriguchi\u2019s fights should always be 5 rounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

The MMA Guru added:<\/p>\n

\u201cKYOJI HORIGUCHI DESTROYS AMIR ALBAZI OVER THREE ROUNDS 30-27, ALBAZI COULD BARELY LAND A CLEAN SHOT WHILE KYOJI WAS PIECING HIM UP LIKE A FLYWEIGHT PRIME WHITTAKER Could have a future Japanese UFC world champion on our hands here \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5, back in his second prime #UFCVegas113.\u201d<\/p>\n

KYOJI HORIGUCHI DESTROYS AMIR ALBAZI OVER THREE ROUNDS<\/p>\n

30-27, ALBAZI COULD BARELY LAND A CLEAN SHOT WHILE KYOJI WAS PIECING HIM UP LIKE A FLYWEIGHT PRIME WHITTAKER<\/p>\n

Could have a future Japanese UFC world champion on our hands here \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5, back in his second prime #UFCVegas113<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 THE MMA GURU (@THATBOYMMAGURU) February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Josh Thomson posted:<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbazi is huge man\u2026 the speed of Horigchi and his power should be a problem for Albazi as this fight goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Albazi is huge man\u2026 the speed of horguchi and his power should be a problem for Albazi as this fight goes.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n