By:  | August 11, 2023 2:07 pm

Yuma Horiuchi will be competing in Japan for the first time since 2016. He has been matched with Hayato Ishii at Shooto 0924 which is set for Tokyo next month.

After a long stint training and fighting in the US the 25 year old returns to his homeland to make his Shooto debut. Horiuchi (11-5) challenged for the flyweight title at LFA 159 but was stopped in the first round by Felipe Bunes.

While he would have been disappointed by that result the Japanese fighter enhanced his reputation by earning a title shot with one of the biggest regional promotions in the US. His three LFA wins all came inside the distance and he challenged for both the regular and interim flyweight titles.

Ishii (17-6-3) has spent virtually his entire career competing in Japan, he has fought a couple of times in China. The 28 year old is coming off back to back decision defeats and was last seen losing to Nobuki Fujii at Shooto 1127.

Best of the rest

At strawweight seasoned veteran Emi Fujino returns. The 42 year old is still going strong nearly two decades after her pro debut and has won two out of her last three fights.

Fujino (27-14) will have a huge advantage in terms of experience when she faces Momoka Hoshuyama (4-4-1). The 28 year old is coming off back to back wins and is undefeated in her last three fights.

In the middleweight division rising Japanese star Taiga Iwasaki (10-1) will ne looking to rebound from the first defeat of his career. He has been matched with experienced Korea Eun Soo Kim (7-7).

Another experienced strawweight will also be on the Shooto 0924 card which takes place at the Korakuen Hall. Megumi Sugimoto (9-3-1) has been matched with Shiho (0-2) who is coming off a win over Fujino.

Shooto 0924, Tokyo, September 24th
Hayato Ishii vs. Yuma Horiuchi (Flyweight)
Taiga Iwasaki vs. Eun Soo Kim (Middleweight)
Momoka Hoshuyama vs. Emi Fujino (Strawweight)
Megumi Sugimoto vs. Shiho (Strawweight)
Taira Uehara vs. Tesshin Isobe (Featherweight)