MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has weighed in on a potential UFC return for Kyoji Horiguchi, and his prediction isn’t favorable for the Japanese fighter. Johnson believes current UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja would defeat Horiguchi decisively.
Johnson, who has faced both fighters, stated on his YouTube channel that Pantoja’s evolved grappling and striking would pose significant problems for Horiguchi. While acknowledging Horiguchi’s skills, Johnson emphasized Pantoja’s improvements since their past encounter.
“If Kyoji Horiguchi was to come to the UFC to fight Pantoja right now, I think Pantoja would smoke him,” Johnson declared. He highlighted Pantoja’s growth in both striking and grappling, making him a more well-rounded and dangerous opponent.
Horiguchi, a former Bellator and Rizin champion, has expressed interest in returning to the UFC. However, Johnson’s assessment suggests that Horiguchi would face a tough challenge in the current flyweight landscape, particularly against a champion like Pantoja. The potential matchup raises questions about Horiguchi’s readiness for the UFC’s top tier after competing primarily in other organizations. Johnson’s prediction adds fuel to the debate, setting the stage for what could be a highly anticipated clash if Horiguchi makes his return.
