By:  | April 19, 2024 11:17 am

Kyoji Horiguchi will have a chance to avenge one of the most notable defeats of his career at Rizin 47. The Japanese fighter will be facing Sergio Pettis in a non title bantamweight fight at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium on June 9th.

In 2021 Horiguchi challenged Pettis for this Bellator flyweight title. The Japanese fighter was winning the fight comfortably when he was knocked out by a spinning back fist in the fourth round.

Horiguchi (35-5-0-1) would go on to capture the Rizin flyweight title. However that belt will not be on the line when he faces promotional newcomer Pettis in Yoyogi.

Pettis (15-3) is coming off the first defeat of his Bellator career. He lost his title after being submitted in the second round by Patchy Mix last November.

Horiguchi will be returning to bantamweight for the first time since 2022. He is the former Rizin and Bellator bantamweight champion but was undefeated since dropping down to 125lbs.

Former champions

The card will also feature a featherweight fight between two former champions. Kleber Koike, who held the Rizin belt, will face Juan Archuleta, who holds the bantamweight title.

Koike (32-7-1-1) lost his title on the scale after failing to make weight for Rizin 43. With only one win from his last four fights the Brazilian has suffered a dip in form.

Archuleta (29-5) previously held bantamweight titles with both Bellator and Rizin. Having weighed in just over 140lbs for his last title defence, when he lost to Kai Asakura, the American had decided to move up in weight.

ONE 167, Bangkok, June 8th
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Sergio Pettis (Bantamweight)
Kleber Koike vs. Juan Archuleta (Featherweight)