Rizin free fight: Kyoji Horiguchi chokes Yuto Hokamura unconscious in ruthless fashion

Kyoji Horiguchi’s return to Rizin was one to remember.

The former Bellator champion put out Yuto Hokamura in ruthless fashion in the main event of Rizin FF 38 last month in Japan. This was Horiguchi’s (30-5) first fight under the Rizin banner since December 2020.

After a shaky start where Horiguchi was dropped in the first round, the 31-year-old came out in the second and choked Hokamura unconscious with an arm triangle. It was a vicious finish.

You can watch Horiguchi’s return to Rizin in the video above.

The result was an important one for Horiguchi. He was the recipient of the 2021 Knockout of the Year against Sergio Pettis at Bellator 272, then was unable to advance in the Bellator bantamweight grand prix when he lost a unanimous decision in his opening-round bout with Patchy Mix at Bellator 279 in April.