Kyoji Horiguchi gained’t be making his return to the UFC in June in any case.
The Japanese star, and one-time UFC flyweight title challenger, was initially scheduled to compete on the UFC Baku card on June 21 because the promotion lands in Azerbaijan for the primary time. Sadly, Horiguchi is not anticipated to compete on the cardboard after he was faraway from his battle in opposition to Tagir Ulanbekov for undisclosed causes.
In his place steps Azat Maksum, who accepts the battle with Ulanbekov on quick discover with the battle going down in 4 weeks’ time.
A number of folks with data of the promotion’s plans confirmed the information to MMA Preventing on Monday following an preliminary report from Red Corner MMA.
It’s an unlucky delay for Horiguchi, and doubtless a disappointing swap for Ulanbekov as properly, because the flyweight veteran educated underneath Khabib Nurmagomedov misses out on a big battle for the division.
As an alternative, Ulanbekov attracts Maksum, who comes into the battle with a 1-1 file within the UFC together with a win over Tyson Nam and a loss to Charles Johnson.
The battle serves as Ulanbekov’s alternative to notch a fourth win in a row total after he’s taken out Clayton Carpenter, Cody Durden and Nate Maness in consecutive fights.
The UFC Baku card takes place on June 21 with former mild heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill taking up Khalil Rountree Jr. in the primary occasion.
Mike Heck contributed to this report
