Kyoji Horiguchi believes UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson will defend his title over his "The Ultimate Fighter 24" opponent. (Photo : Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
Former UFC flyweight championship contender Kyoji Horiguchi believes Demetrious Johnson, who will Horiguchi try to defeat in their rematch, taking the victory over the winner of "The Ultimate Fighter 24" is a no-brainer.
Johnson is bound to face the reality "TUF 24" reality-show tournament but Horiguchi is convinced the long-time champion will surely dominate his opponent, MMA Junkie reported.
"I know the champion will win," Horiguchi said right after a decision win over Ali Bagautinov last Saturday at UFC Fight Night 99.
Ranked at No.4 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA flyweight rankings, Horiguchi hopes to get another shot to dethrone Johnson. Last year April in UFC 186, Horiguchi suffered a heartbreaking loss through an armbar with a second left in his title-contention match against Johnson, who at that time successfully defended his belt for the sixth time.
Horiguchi tapped out at exactly 4:59 in the fifth round as Johnson set the record for the latest submission in UFC history and the latest finish in any UFC title clash.
The Japanese fighter came back from the loss furiously, downing Chico Camus via unanimous decision in UFC Fight Night 75 in his home country September last year. He then toppled Neil Seery, also via unanimous decision, in UFC Fight Night 87 in Netherlands last May. He punctuated his comeback with another win over the sixth-ranked Bagautinov.
Horiguchi has a 7-1 win-loss record in the UFC and is primed to be contend for Johnson's title following his series of wins.
But with UFC waiting for the "TUF 24" winner who will face Johnson for the UFC flyweight championship on Dec. 3 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, Horiguchi would have to wait for his crack at the belt.
As Horiguchi believes, Johnson will defend his belt for the ninth time and it is only time when will he face the champ in the Octagon again.
