Horiguchi’s Speed Carried Him Past Albazi in Las Vegas
Kyoji Horiguchi defeated Amir Albazi by unanimous decision on February 7, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Two judges scored the flyweight contest 30–27, while the third returned 29–28 after three completed rounds.
The matchup and opening exchanges
Albazi returned after more than a year away from competition. Horiguchi entered with championship experience from both Rizin and Bellator and sought another victory following his return to the UFC roster.
Early clinch exchanges gave both fighters opportunities to test the other’s balance. Albazi briefly put Horiguchi down during a striking exchange, but the Japanese veteran immediately recovered his feet and continued the round.
How the contest developed
Horiguchi’s speed became increasingly apparent in the second. He escaped pressure and delivered combinations while Albazi often answered with individual punches. Changes of stance and quick entries helped Horiguchi keep the exchanges moving.
Albazi found a body-lock opportunity after a jumping knee in the final round, yet could not maintain the control he needed. Horiguchi continued generating offense and prevented the challenger from dictating an extended grappling phase.
The official outcome
All three judges selected Horiguchi, with two awarding him every round. The victory was his second since returning to the promotion and strengthened his position in a flyweight division where he publicly expressed interest in champion Joshua Van.
Sources
Article Tags
Kyoji Horiguchi, Amir Albazi, UFC, MMA
