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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
MMA Junkie Staff

After long bantamweight run, Kyoji Horiguchi happy with flyweight return

Kyoji Horiguchi beat Hiromasa Ougikubo with a unanimous decision Saturday at Rizin FF 40: Rizin vs. Bellator in Japan.

Take a look inside the fight with Horiguchi, who had previous wins over Ougikubo in 2013 and 2018.

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo

Result: Kyoji Horiguchi def. Hiromasa Ougikubo via unanimous decision
Updated records: Horiguchi (31-5), Ougikubo (25-7-2)

Horiguchi on the fight's key moment

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo

“I thought Ougikubo was really tough. Even though I gave him a clean hit a couple times, his eyes weren’t dying. It was a very tough fight.”

Horiguchi on fighting Ougikubo a third time

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo

“From the first and second matches, I knew what he was looking for, so it was easier for me to put up a game plan and try to fight him.”

Horiguchi on what he wants next

“I felt very good (at flyweight), so whether it’s in Japan or overseas internationally, I’d like to mix things up in the flyweight division.”

To hear more from Horiguchi, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Rizin FF 40: Rizin vs. Bellator.

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