Earlier tonight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 113, former Bellator and RIZIN champion Kyoji Horiguchi locked horns with Amir Albazi.

From the opening stanza, the Japanese fighter dictated the pace, constantly switching stances and landing with lightning speed from both angles. ‘The Prince’ tried to take the fight to the ground, but Horiguchi’s takedown defense was on point.

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.

After 15 minutes, ‘Karate Kid’ cruised to a unanimous decision win.

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.

Pros react to Kyoji Horiguchi’s UFC Vegas 113 win

Merab Dvalishvili posted on X:

“Wow, what a performance by Kyoji Horiguchi, he’s going to get flayweight belt 🦾🇯🇵 congratulations. ✊”

Wow what a performance by Kyoji Horiguchi he’s going to get flayweight belt 🦾🇯🇵 congratulations . ✊

— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) February 8, 2026

Former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo posted:

“Kyoji Horiguchi will be UFC champion by the end of 2026 #UFCVegas113”

Derek Brunson, who had similar sentiments to Cejudo, wrote on X:

“Ok I’ve seen enough , give Horiguchi the next title shot ! 😂 #UFCVegas113”

Meanwhile, Damon Martin posted:

“I love Kyoji Horiguchi …. But it needs to be Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape next until Alexandre Pantoja is ready to fight again #UFCVegas113”

I love Kyoji Horiguchi ….

But it needs to be Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape next until Alexandre Pantoja is ready to fight again #UFCVegas113

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) February 8, 2026

Azamat Bekoev, who would love to watch Kyoji Horiguchi fight for five rounds, wrote:

“Horiguchi’s fights should always be 5 rounds.”

The MMA Guru added:

“KYOJI 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 🇯🇵, back in his second prime #UFCVegas113.”

KYOJI 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 🇯🇵, back in his second prime #UFCVegas113

— THE MMA GURU (@THATBOYMMAGURU) February 8, 2026

Josh Thomson posted:

“Albazi is huge man… the speed of Horigchi and his power should be a problem for Albazi as this fight goes.”

Albazi is huge man… the speed of horguchi and his power should be a problem for Albazi as this fight goes.

— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) February 8, 2026