Horiguchi Wins Flyweight Title, Pops The Question

Kyoji Horiguchi closed out 2023 with a bang.

The former Bellator MMA flyweight champion of the world headlined RIZIN 45 yesterday (Sun., Dec. 31, 2023) inside Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, opposite Makoto Shinryu. The duo initially collided earlier in the year at Bellator X RIZIN 2, but the fight ended in a No Contest (NC) thanks to an inadvertent eye poke.

There would be a much more definitive ending this time around.

Indeed, Horiguchi made rather easy work of Takahashi, wrapping him up with an air-tight rear-naked choke in the second frame to become the promotion’s first-ever 125-pound pound champion. But the winnings didn’t end there for the longtime veteran. Shortly after his win, Horiguchi popped the question to his longtime partner in the center of the ring, to which she said “Yes!”

Check out the highlights of the finish below!

Horiguchi improves to 3-0-1 since losing to eventual Bantamweight Grand Prix champion, Patchy Mix, at Bellator 279 in the quarterfinals of the tournament earlier in the year. That loss was preceded by his stunning knockout defeat at the hands of Sergio Pettis in a 135-pound title fight (highlights).

It will be interesting to see where Horiguchi’s career goes from here since the Bellator of old is no more thanks to the recent Professional Fighters League (PFL) buyout. Horiguchi had a great working understanding with Bellator and RIZIN, fighting for both promotions since leaving Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2016. And while it’s obvious PFL and Co. are all about trying to work together and bring the best fights possible, there is no telling if a co-promotion event with RIZIN is on the docket for the future.