The UFC Flyweight division is buzzing with excitement lately. At UFC 331 just days ago, Joshua Van solidified his position as the top fighter in the 125-pound category by delivering a decisive and aggressive victory over former champion Alexandre Pantoja. Van is anticipated to defend his title next against Manel Kape, but beyond that, the division remains wide open for challengers aiming to claim the championship.
Among those contenders is Kyoji Horiguchi, a former UFC title challenger and RIZIN champion. According to an initial report from Leo Guimaraes, Horiguchi is set to make his comeback against rising Kazakh star Asu Almabayev. This matchup is booked for November 21 at the upcoming UFC event in Qatar—a promising card that marks the promotion’s second visit to the region following last November’s event headlined by Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker.
This bout holds significant weight for both fighters and the division. Horiguchi looked outstanding before falling to Kape, controlling the fight until a single powerful punch swung the outcome. Before that loss, Horiguchi had reasserted his status as a top contender by convincingly defeating Tagir Ulanbekov and Amir Albazi. On the other hand, Almabayev is coming off perhaps the best victory of his UFC tenure, securing a stunning Suloev Stretch submission over Charles Johnson at UFC Baku. With three consecutive wins since a controversial loss to Kape—marked by multiple fouls—Almabayev currently boasts seven wins in eight fights and is on the cusp of his first title opportunity.
Who will emerge victorious in Doha?
For those interested, the full UFC 2026 schedule is available here.
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Fan Take: This matchup is pivotal as it could shake up the Flyweight hierarchy and introduce new dynamics at the top of the division. For fight fans, the Horiguchi vs. Almabayev bout signals an exciting chapter for the sport, showcasing both seasoned skill and rising talent on a global stage.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
