Horiguchi Dominates Albazi in Tactical Masterclass at UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event

Kyoji Horiguchi turned back the clock at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night, dismantling sixth-ranked flyweight contender Amir Albazi over three dominant rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 113. The 38-year-old former Bellator and RIZIN champion showcased why he remains one of the sport's most dangerous flyweights, leaving Albazi bloodied and outclassed.

Horiguchi's darting in-and-out offense set the tone from the opening bell, as his crisp jab repeatedly interrupted Albazi's attempts to establish pressure and forced the Iraqi-Brit to stand tall and vulnerable. While Albazi appeared to have the strength advantage in clinch exchanges during the first round, Horiguchi's superior activity and striking volume earned him the early edge on the judges' scorecards.

The second round marked the turning point of the fight, as Horiguchi unleashed his most aggressive assault of the night. The Japanese veteran caught Albazi with a thunderous right hand that opened a cut and briefly wobbled the younger fighter, sapping his confidence and effectively shutting down any offensive wrestling attempts. Horiguchi landed at a rate of nearly four times his opponent through the middle frame, sending Albazi back to his corner visibly damaged and trailing on the scorecards.

In the final round, Horiguchi landed a looping shot behind Albazi's ear that further sealed the outcome. Desperate for a finish, Albazi pressed forward seeking takedowns against the cage, but Horiguchi's takedown defense held firm as he continued to pick apart his opponent with precise counter striking. As Albazi adjusted his guard to defend the jab, Horiguchi began sitting down on wide counter left hooks that crashed into Albazi's temple, inflicting further damage and cementing his dominance.

Following his second consecutive UFC victory since returning from Asia after capturing titles in both Bellator and RIZIN, Horiguchi wasted no time calling for a shot at flyweight champion Joshua Van. The performance served as a statement that despite his age and extensive career, Horiguchi remains an elite force in the 125-pound division. For Albazi, the decisive loss snapped what had been building momentum toward title contention, leaving him to regroup after being thoroughly outclassed by one of the division's most decorated veterans.

The co-main event provided a fitting complement to Mario Bautista's submission victory over Vinicius Oliveira in the main event, capping off an action-packed evening of flyweight and bantamweight competition at UFC Vegas 113.