Our Lady Iguchi sends much-needed new blood (a kind of) into the UFC’s flyweight division, but former title holder demetrious Johnson believes his addition could be even more complicated at 125.
Last month, Horigchi announced that he will be vacating the Lisine flyweight championship after signing the second ultimate fighting championship in his career.
Horiguchi previously competed for the UFC between 2013 and 2016, making it 7-1 in the process. He ultimately chose not to renew his contract in 2017 and signed a deal with Rizin. Since then, Horigchi has won both flyweight and bantamweight world titles with Rizin.
He also won the Bellator Bantamweight Championship in June 2019, but was forced to leave it apart five months later due to injuries.
Now, Origuchi is back to MMA’s biggest stage, determined to add a UFC title to her resume. However, it may not be that simple.
For those who don’t realize, decision-making Kyoji and UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja are good friends and regularly train with the American top team in Coconut Creek, Florida.
With friends who often don’t want to fight each other in the octagon, or Aljaman Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili, “The Mighty Mouse” believes Horiguchi’s readjustment to the flyweight division could become a mess that further disrupts the heads of the division.
“It’s fascinating to see guys like Yoji Horiguchi returning to the UFC after such up and down careers,” Johnson told Submission Radio. “He’s gone through a lot, he’s been through, fighting for Lysin and losing to Sergio Pettis, but now he’s back with his goal for the title.
“The dynamics with his main training partner, Alex Pantoja, is interesting to be a champion. How do they navigate that?
DJ will boost Pantoja to defeat Horiguchi with potential UFC title Tilt
If Horiguchi and Pantoja can put their friendship aside, it will be one of the more interesting matchups in UFC flyweight history. As for who will be on top, Johnson believes Pantoja’s world-class grappling and steely chin are enough to win a day against his ATT teammates.
“If Origuchi wants a belt, he’ll have to fight Pantoja,” Johnson continued. “But I think Pantoja will win that fight. He is durable, with a stiff chin and an incredible grappler. The flyweight division is now stacked with people like Kai Kara France and Manel Cape.