The wait is over for fans of intense flyweight battles! Kyoji Horiguchi, the Japanese phenom, is set to clash with Amir Albazi, a top-five contender, in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 113 on February 7, 2026. This highly anticipated matchup promises to deliver thrilling action, as two elite fighters look to make a statement in the flyweight division.
Horiguchi, nicknamed "Gooch," is riding a six-fight win streak, including three finishes, after making his return to the Octagon last month. He dominated Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Qatar, becoming the first fighter to finish the Russian stalwart. Following the victory, Horiguchi called out teammate Alexandre Pantoja for a title shot, but with the flyweight title picture uncertain, he'll instead face Albazi, a formidable opponent ranked fifth in the division.
Albazi, 31, is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton in 2024, which snapped his six-fight winning streak. The Iraqi-British fighter has faced significant challenges, including a grueling 16-month layoff due to injuries, heart surgery, and a potentially career-threatening condition that could have left him paralyzed if untreated. Despite these setbacks, Albazi has shown remarkable resilience and determination.
But here's where it gets interesting... Albazi's experience and skills will be put to the test against Horiguchi's lightning-fast striking and submission expertise. Will Horiguchi's momentum be enough to take down the top-five contender, or will Albazi's toughness and grit give him the edge he needs to win?
The UFC Vegas 113 card is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a stacked lineup featuring:
- Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira
- Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
- Farid Basharat vs. Jean Matsumoto
- Rizvan Kuniev vs. Ryan Spann
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Uran Satybaldiev vs. Julius Walker
- Wang Cong vs. Eduarda Moura
What are your predictions for this fight? Do you think Horiguchi's skills will be too much for Albazi, or will the contender find a way to upset the Japanese star? Share your thoughts in the comments!
