Report: UFC close to re-signing Horiguchi

Former UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi is "very close" to reaching a deal to return to the promotion, sources told Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani.

The UFC has discussed booking a flyweight bout between Horiguchi and No. 11-ranked contender Tagir Ulanbekov for a potential June event in Azerbaijan, Helwani added.

Horiguchi, the current Rizin FF flyweight champion, left the UFC on a three-fight winning streak in 2016. The 34-year-old Japanese fighter signed with Rizin FF and rose to stardom in his home country, capturing the promotion's flyweight and bantamweight titles. He also competed six times in the now-defunct Bellator, where he won the bantamweight belt.

Horiguchi trains out of American Top Team in Florida alongside UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

Horiguchi was 23 when he began his first Octagon stint in 2013. He went 7-1, with his lone loss coming in a 125-pound title fight against Demetrious Johnson. Horiguchi has compiled a 16-3 (1 NC) record since his departure.

Horiguchi is coming off a unanimous decision win over Nkazimulo Zulu in his first Rizin FF flyweight title defense last December. He's riding a six-fight unbeaten streak.