Horiguchi Submits Ulanbekov in UFC Return

Doha, Qatar (AP) - Japanese MMA veteran Kyoji Horiguchi marked his return to the UFC after nearly nine years with a dominant submission victory over Tagir Ulanbekov on Saturday night at the ABHA Arena. The 34-year-old flyweight, entering as an underdog, forced Ulanbekov to tap to a rear-naked choke at 2:18 of the third round in the main card opener of UFC Fight Night.

Horiguchi, standing at 5-foot-4 and giving up three inches in height, controlled the pace throughout the 15-minute bout. Ulanbekov, a 25-year-old member of Khabib Nurmagomedov's training camp, started strong by securing a takedown early in the first round and landing a calf kick that briefly staggered Horiguchi. But the Japanese fighter rallied with a right hand just before the bell, carrying momentum into the second frame.

There, Horiguchi used precise leg kicks to chop at Ulanbekov's base, taking him down and accumulating over three minutes of control time while defending a guillotine attempt. Signs of fatigue appeared on Ulanbekov as Horiguchi imposed his striking and grappling. In the third round, Horiguchi dropped his opponent with a leaping left hook, followed by a thudding head kick that sent Ulanbekov to...