Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, the former UFC flyweight king and current ONE Championship titleholder, has cast doubt on Kyoji Horiguchi’s potential return to the UFC. Johnson, known for his technical prowess and insightful analysis, believes Horiguchi would face an uphill battle against the current UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja.
Horiguchi, a former Bellator and Rizin champion, previously fought in the UFC but left in 2016. A return has been speculated, given his success outside the promotion. However, Johnson suggests the landscape of the UFC flyweight division has drastically changed since Horiguchi’s departure.
In a recent interview, Johnson stated that Pantoja’s aggressive style and relentless pressure would be a significant challenge for Horiguchi. He highlighted Pantoja’s improvements in striking and grappling, making him a formidable opponent for anyone in the division.
“I think Pantoja is a bad matchup for Horiguchi,” Johnson asserted. “Pantoja is always coming forward, always putting the pressure on, and he’s gotten a lot better since they last fought.”
Johnson acknowledged Horiguchi’s skills but emphasized the evolution of Pantoja’s game. He also suggested that Horiguchi’s focus on multiple organizations might hinder his preparation for a specific opponent like Pantoja. While respecting Horiguchi’s accomplishments, Johnson’s prediction leans heavily towards Pantoja retaining his title should the matchup occur. He sees Pantoja’s constant pressure and improved skillset as the deciding factors in a potential clash.
