Last Saturday, Bellator MMA had a highly anticipated event scheduled to crown their inaugural men’s flyweight champion. However, to the disappointment of fans, the bout between Kyoji Horiguchi and Makoto Shinryu ended in just 25 seconds due to an accidental eye poke, resulting in a no contest. This unexpected turn of events left the title vacant in the most anticlimactic way possible.
The title bout was held at the impressive 36,000-seat Saitama Super Arena, located outside of Tokyo, as part of a co-promotion between Bellator and the Rizin Fighting Federation. The fight featured two of Japan’s biggest star fighters, adding to the excitement surrounding the event.
Frustration as Horiguchi Accidentally Pokes Opponent’s Eye
Unfortunately, the fight came to an abrupt end when Kyoji Horiguchi, a former bantamweight champion in Bellator and two-time champion in Rizin, accidentally poked Makoto Shinryu in the right eye with his left hand. The 23-year-old fighter, who was on a 10-fight winning streak, had to be examined by a doctor, causing a five-minute delay. Ultimately, the referee, Jason Herzog, made the decision to call off the bout.
Awaited Announcement on the Future of Horiguchi vs Makoto
Following the no contest, Bellator did not provide immediate information regarding a potential rescheduling of the title fight between Horiguchi and Makoto. Fans are left wondering when and if the fight will be rebooked to determine the legitimate men’s flyweight champion.
Horiguchi’s Pursuit of Gold and Multiple Division Titles
This was Kyoji Horiguchi’s second attempt at capturing the 125-pound gold. In 2015, while competing in the UFC, Horiguchi challenged then-champion Demetrious Johnson for the belt but fell short. The talented fighter, who trains at American Top Team in Florida, was also hoping to become the fourth Bellator athlete to hold titles in multiple divisions, following in the footsteps of Joe Warren, Ryan Bader, and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
In the main event of the evening, former Bellator lightweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire faced off against Rizin lightweight titlist Roberto de Souza in a quarterfinal match of the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. Freire emerged victorious by securing a third-round TKO, improving his record to 25-11. It’s worth noting that de Souza was a late replacement for ex-Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee, who withdrew from the bout and tournament during fight week due to a medical issue.
The Fight’s Conclusion
Freire controlled the fight from the beginning and came close to finishing de Souza in the final moments of the first round. However, the Brazilian fighter managed to make it to the bell and continue the bout. Finally, 49 seconds into the third round, Freire sealed the victory, demonstrating his dominance in the division.
Bellator’s attempt to crown their inaugural men’s flyweight champion ended in disappointment due to an accidental eye poke, leaving the title vacant. Fans and fighters alike eagerly await further news regarding a potential rematch between Horiguchi and Makoto, hoping for a more satisfying conclusion to this highly anticipated championship bout.
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