Kyoji Horiguchi has given an all-new meaning to the “champ-champ” moniker.
After claiming Bellator’s bantamweight title at this past weekend’s Bellator 222 event, the Japanese standout isn’t reigning over two different weight classes – he’s the kingpin of two different major organizations.
Thanks to a partnership between Bellator and Rizin FF – not to mention a pair of wins over Darrion Caldwell – the former UFC title challenger is now a bantamweight titleholder in promotions in both the U.S. and Japan, and the American Top Team fighter will look to defend them both. As a reward for his efforts, Horiguchi (28-2) moves up to No. 10 in the 135-pound list of the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA rankings, but he also debuts as an honorable mention on the pound-for-pound list, knocking off former UFC dual champ Conor McGregor, who hasn’t picked up an MMA win since November 2016.
To see those updates and more, check out the latest edition of our rankings.
