Last fight
Win
Kape vs Horiguchi
Jun. 20, 2026
UFC Spotlight
Stats & Records
15
Wins by Knockout
6
Wins by Submission
10
First Round Finishes
Significant Strikes include all strikes at distance, plus power strikes in the clinch and on the ground.
Striking accuracy
- Sig. Strikes Landed
- 555
- Sig. Strikes Attempted
- 1166
A takedown is awarded when a fighter deliberately grapples an opponent to the ground and establishes an advantageous position for an appreciable amount of time.
Takedown Accuracy
- Takedowns Landed
- 15
- Takedowns Attempted
- 42
- Sig. Str. Defense is the percentage of significant strikes attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Takedown defense is the percentage of takedowns attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Knockdown Avg. is the average number of knockdowns per 15 Minutes window.
Sig. Str. by target
athlete record
Info
Status
Active
Place of Birth
Takasaki, Japan
Trains at
American Top Team
Fighting style
MMA
Age
35
Height
64.00
Weight
125.00
Octagon Debut
Oct. 20, 2013
Reach
69.00
Leg reach
38.00
- Pro Since May 2010, made UFC Debut in October 2013, returned in November
- 15 wins by KO, six by submission (RNC x3, Arm Triangle x2, Guillotine)
- 10 first-round finishes, seven second-round finishes, three third-round finishes, one fifth-round finish
- Loss to Kape snapped 8-fight unbeaten streak (7-0, 1 NC)
- 2-1 since returning for his second UFC stint, went 7-1 in first stint with the UFC
- Went 16-3, 1 NC between UFC fights (Earned wins over UFC-vets Sergio Pettis, Kai Asakura, Ian McCall, & Manel Kape)
- Fought Demetrious Johnson for the UFC flyweight title at UFC 186 in April 2015, lost via RD 5 Armbar
- Four of his six pro losses came at bantamweight, only losses at flyweight are to Demetrious Johnson and Manel Kape
- One of three current Japanese UFC flyweights (Rei Tsuruya & Tatsuro Taira)
UFC Fight Night (6/20/26) Horiguchi was stopped by Manel Kape via strikes at 2:42 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (2/7/26) Horiguchi won a three round unanimous decision over Amir Albazi
UFC Fight Night (11/22/25) Horiguchi submitted Tagir Ulanbekov via rear-naked choke at 2:18 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (11/19/16) Horiguchi won a three round unanimous decision over Ali Bagautinov
UFC Fight Night (5/8/16) Horiguchi won a three round unanimous decision over Neil Seery
UFC Fight Night (9/26/15) Horiguchi won a three round unanimous decision over Chico Camus
UFC 186 (4/25/15) Horiguchi was submitted by Demetrious Johnson via armbar at 4:59 of the fifth round
UFC 182 (1/3/15) Horiguchi won a three round unanimous decision over Louis Gaudinot
UFC Fight Night (9/20/14) Horiguchi stopped Jon Delos Reyes via punches at 3:48 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (5/10/14) Horiguchi won a three round unanimous decision over Darrell Montague
UFC166 (10/19/13) Horiguchi stopped Dustin Pague via punches at 3:51 of the second round
When and why did you start training for MMA? I started training MMA at 18 when I joined Kid Yamamoto's gym. I started training MMA at 18 when I joined Kid Yamamoto's gym.
Who are your main training partners? My main training partners are Cody Durden, Adriano Moraes, and Alexandre Pantoja
What professional titles have you held? Shooto Featherweight Champion, RIZIN Flyweight Champion, RIZIN Bantamweight Champion, and Bellator Bantamweight Champion.
Any accomplishments in amateur combat sports? I won a prefectural tournament in karate. That's about it, I don't remember much, to be honest. (Laughs)
Any belts/ranks in striking disciplines? 2nd-Degree Black Belt in Karate
What has been your toughest fight to date and why? My fight against Demetrious Johnson. Of course he was a great opponent, but it was also my first submission loss, which left a strong impression on me.
Who is your favorite fighter and why? My mentor Kid Yamamoto and my coach Mike Brown. Kid gave me dreams when I was a kid and he will always be my idol. Mike is an incredible coach and someone who still allows me to keep dreaming.
What was your job before you started fighting? I joined a gym right after graduating high school, so I never had another job. I had already decided in my heart to become a fighter.
Is there a cause that you want to use your platform for? I don’t have a specific cause, but I hope my journey can inspire people to chase their dreams. Also I want to use my platform to show appreciation to the people who support me.
Beyond a championship or money, what motivates you? What motivates me is the desire to give back and make the people who support me happy.
Origin of nickname: "Karate Kid" comes from my background in karate and the fact that I was a student of Kid Yamamoto.
Personal Life / Background (family stuff, kids, etc.): I'm married, living with my wife and our dog, Roy.
What are your hobbies, activities or other interests when not training for a fight? Fishing and spending time playing with my dog.
