Get ready for a historic clash as Kyoji Horiguchi and Makoto Takahashi compete for the inaugural Bellator MMA flyweight title. Don’t miss this highly anticipated showdown!
Kyoji Horiguchi Aims to Cement Legacy with Bellator MMA Flyweight Title
Kyoji Horiguchi, a two-time Rizin Fighting Federation champion, is preparing to face Makoto Takahashi in a historic clash for the inaugural Bellator MMA flyweight crown. The highly anticipated fight will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, as part of the Bellator x Rizin 2 co-headliner on Saturday.
Horiguchi, a member of the renowned American Top Team, enters the bout with back-to-back victories under his belt. In his last appearance at Rizin 40, he secured a three-round unanimous decision against Hiromasa Ougikubo on December 31.
Takahashi, on the other hand, is riding a career-best 10-fight winning streak. His most recent victory came on April 1, when he submitted Daichi Kitakata with an arm-triangle choke in the second round of their Rizin 41 matchup.
As the fight draws near, let’s take a closer look at some intriguing statistics surrounding both fighters:
| Kyoji Horiguchi | Makoto Takahashi |
|---|---|
| 32 years old | 23 years old |
| 15 KO/TKO victories (48%) | 4 submission wins (25%) |
| 86 total rounds fought | 1,918 days since last loss |
| 10 first-round finishes | 12 decision wins (75%) |
| .841 winning percentage of opponents | 88 combined victories of defeated opponents |
Kyoji Horiguchi, born on October 12, 1990, in Takasaki, Japan, has established himself as a formidable force in the flyweight division. With 15 knockout or technical knockout victories, he possesses devastating striking power. Notable names on his list of victims include Ben Nguyen, Ian McCall, and Shintaro Ishiwatari.
In addition to his striking prowess, Horiguchi has also showcased his grappling skills with four submission wins. His ability to finish fights in the first round has earned him a reputation as a fast and ferocious competitor.
Makoto Takahashi, born on July 5, 2000, in Miyagi, Japan, has been on an impressive winning streak since his last loss over 1,900 days ago. With a well-rounded skill set, Takahashi has secured victories through a variety of methods, including guillotine chokes, arm-triangle chokes, and ninja chokes.
Both fighters have faced tough competition throughout their careers, with Horiguchi’s opponents boasting a combined record of 112-20-3 and Takahashi’s opponents having a cumulative record of 88-58-5. This showcases their ability to perform at the highest level against top-tier opposition.
The clash between Horiguchi and Takahashi is set to be a historic moment in the flyweight division. With the Bellator MMA flyweight title on the line, both fighters will leave no stone unturned in their quest for victory.
Stay tuned for the highly anticipated showdown on Saturday, as Kyoji Horiguchi and Makoto Takahashi look to etch their names in the history books of mixed martial arts.
