"One of Japan's best hopes for a UFC champion, the former title challenger Horiguchi started the fight tying Albazi up along the fence, firing knees to the leg. He could not get Albazi down, however, and "The Prince" soon escaped out. He'd wind up eating a right hand from Horiguchi, with the later then exchanging heavy overhand shots. The Japanese veteran had the edge in speed, but an Albazi punch had him falling backwards over himself."
"Round two saw Albazi go right back to the same gameplan, pushing Horiguchi against the cage. Within a minute, however, Kyoji had escaped. And was punching his way in, landing three strikes together, while Albazi landed one in return. Albazi was showing a bit of damage on the right temple. Another punch clipped him, a right hand that hit the top of the forehead. Speed was, as it had been in the first, an issue for Amir Albazi."
"Horiguchi came out hot in round three, firing a jumping knee, but that allowed Albazi to tie things up. A takedown didn't truly land, but Albazi kept a body lock in place. He couldn't keep Kyoji there, and the Japanese star went back on the offensive. Albazi looked overwhelmed. He would take the fight back to the fence, but he'd been bloodied. Albazi needed a finish, and that wasn't happening."
Kyoji Horiguchi used speed, stance switches, and high-volume striking to control exchanges against Amir Albazi. Horiguchi initiated clinches, landed knees and overhand shots, and repeatedly forced Albazi to the fence. Albazi attempted takedowns and body locks but failed to keep Horiguchi grounded. Albazi absorbed a right hand and showed damage to the right temple, eventually appearing bloodied. Albazi looked overwhelmed in the later rounds and could not secure a finish. Horiguchi secured his second win since returning to the UFC after stints in Bellator and RIZIN.
Read at Cageside Press
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