Not long after the news broke that former RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi was a free agent, he was quickly off the market when Bellator jumped in and made him an exclusive talent on their growing roster of 135-pound talent.
With the former cross-promotion champion officially on Team Coker, the mixed martial arts world is now curious about what comes next for the Japanese star in the Bellator cage. Here are several fantastic options for the new big-ticket addition in Bellator.
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5 foes for Kyoji Horiguchi in Bellator
Patchy Mix
The man born as Patrick but dubbed “Patchy” Mix during an impressive run in Bellator has become one of the promotion’s brightest bantamweight stars. So much so, that he already competed for the belt in September of last year. Although he came up short on that night to Juan Archuleta, Mix is just 28 and only getting better. The New York native is similar to former division king, and Horiguchi foe, Darrion Caldwell.
However, where Caldwell vs Horiguchi I and II bored fans to tears, Mix is a fighter who aims for finishes and would test the UFC veterans ground game in ways he hasn’t seen since Hideo Tokoro in 2017. In addition, considering “Patchy” was one of the few fighters to compete in RIZIN as a representative of Bellator 2019, it would seem even more fitting if these two meet up at some point soon.
James Gallagher
A James Gallagher vs Kyoji Horiguchi bout would resemble the previous one, however, “The Strabanimal” brings a flair to his fights that is second to none in the division. His brash and bold persona would be a much-needed polar opposite to the humble Japanese star, and he too is a mat threat with finishing ability that the 30-year-old has not encountered in years. It would be a showcase of the division’s international depth and an outstanding clash of personalities and fight styles.
Juan Archuleta
Juan Archuleta is one of the most well-rounded talents in the weight class. The former bantamweight king has the wrestling to smother an opponent on the ground, the Duane Ludwig coached striking to be a handful on the feet, and the cardio to push a high pace for up to five round. Where Mix and Gallagher may be less of a striking threat for the heavy-handed Horiguchi, “The Spaniard” has pop in his hands that scored him knockouts at featherweight and lightweight.
Plus, when Horiguchi simultaneously held the RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight titles, Archuleta boldly called out the cross-promotion champ for a clash in the Bellator cage. Now that can finally happen without the strings of another organization tieing Horiguchi down.
Patricio Pitbull
I am sure you’re thinking, “Wait, doesn’t Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire fight at 145 and 155-pounds?” And you would be right. Now that the former featherweight champion is surely going up to defend his lightweight title, a bantamweight fight seems ludicrous at the moment. However, earlier in the year the Brazilian spoke publicly about his belief he could make 135-pound to become a three-division champion.
Now hear me out. Maybe not soon, but if Horiguchi were to win the bantamweight title again in the next year, tempting Freire to come down to capture the only piece of Bellator history he doesn’t own could be very interesting. And, on paper, Horiguchi vs “Pitbull” is an absolute banger of a fight that fans would salivate over. Maybe it’s not likely, but it’s possible.
Sergio Pettis
Kyoji Horiguchi vs Sergio Pettis is probably the fight that Bellator will make first in their new pact with the Japanese star. and I can’t blame them, why would you not put your best bantamweight against another elite in the class right off the bat? The two are evenly matched, but the wrinkles that make their styles different — Horiguchi’s power and Pettis’ technical skills — make it a hard fight to pick and one everyone needs to see. If I was a betting man, looking for this one to be a marquee matchup to end 2021 or start 2022, in Bellator.
