The UFC has announced that UFC Fight Night Manila: Lamas vs. Penn will also feature, a flyweight showdown between Japan’s own title contender, #3 ranked Kyoji Horiguchi (17-2-0, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida USA), and #8 ranked Ali Bagautinov (14-4-0, fighting out of Dagestan, Republic Russia).
Horiguchi, 25, was soundly defeated by reigning UFC World Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson last April of 2015. The former Shooto Bantamweight champion bounced back strongly, stringing together two unanimous decision wins against Chico Camus and Neil Seery to get back in contention.
On the other hand, Russian Bagautinov, 31, also lost to Johnson a year ago. Unlike Horiguchi, the Jackson MMA pupil dropped another fight afterwards, against Joseph Benavidez, before returning to the win column against Geane Herrera last June.
A decisive win by either fighter will bring them one step closer to another crack at Mighty Mouse.
Other announced bouts for the UFC Fight Night Manila card, scheduled on Saturday, October 15, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, include a featherweight showdown between MMA legend BJ Penn and Ricardo Lamas, and a heavyweight showcase pitting Derrick Lewis and Marcin Tybura, although the latter has only been agreed in principle.
