Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Asu Almabayev booked for UFC Qatar

Kyoji Horiguchi has his next challenge. The former UFC title challenger is expected to step inside the Octagon at UFC Qatar to face Asu Almabayev in a matchup between two of the division's top contenders. The fight was first reported by journalist Leo Guimaraes and will take place on Nov. 21 in Doha.

Kyoji Horiguchi Looks to Rebound

Horiguchi is coming off a third-round TKO loss to Manel Kape in June, which snapped a two-fight UFC winning streak. This was the Japanese fighter's first defeat since returning to the UFC in 2025.

Horiguchi left the promotion in February 2017 and spent almost a decade competing in other organizations. Before leaving the UFC, the "Karate Kid" challenged Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 186 in 2015, losing by fifth-round submission. Horiguchi won three consecutive fights after that defeat before leaving the promotion.

The Japanese fighter won several titles during his time away, including the RIZIN flyweight and bantamweight belts and the Bellator bantamweight championship.

Last year, Horiguchi stepped inside the Octagon again after almost a decade and submitted Tagir Ulanbekov in his return to the promotion. Horiguchi also defeated Amir Albazi by unanimous decision in February before losing to Kape. The Karate Kid currently holds a 36-6 professional record and one no contest and will look to bounce back when he faces Almabayev.

Asu Almabayev Wants to Extend Winning Streak

Almabayev, meanwhile, enters the matchup riding a three-fight winning streak. The 32-year-old most recently submitted Charles Johnson in June, which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Since joining the promotion in 2023, Almabayev has won seven of his eight UFC appearances, with his only loss coming against Kape in March 2025. Almabayev holds a 24-3 record.

Horiguchi and Almabayev are now expected to meet at UFC Qatar on Nov. 21 at the ABHA Arena in Doha.