On Sunday in the main event of RIZIN 47, we are going to see a big time rematch in the bantamweight division. Former Bellator champions will go head-to-head as Sergio Pettis (23-6) takes on Kyoji Horiguchi (32-5).
This is a rematch from their first fight back in December 2021 which took place for the Bellator bantamweight title. In that fight, Pettis was making the first official defense of his bantamweight title. Through three rounds in that fight, Horiguchi was completely dominating Pettis. He was faster on the feet and used wrestling to really frustrate Pettis.
However, in the fourth round, Pettis threw a kick that missed. When he swung back around, he came with a spinning backfist that Horiguchi never saw. It landed flush on the jaw and Horiguchi went out cold. Following that fight, Horiguchi returned to RIZIN after losing in the Bellator Grand Prix and Pettis ended up suffering a knee injury that held him out for a year and a half.
Pettis returned and faced Bellator’s featherweight champ Patricio Pitbull and put on a career performance winning by decision. He faced Patchy Mix in a title unification bout last November at Bellator 301 and was submitted in the second round losing his world title.
Horiguchi lost to Patchy Mix following the Pettis loss and returned to RIZIN. He won two fights which led him to a Bellator flyweight title fight against Makoto Shinryu. The fight ended in 30 seconds due to an eye poke. When those two ran it back, Bellator had been purchased by the PFL so they fought for the RIZIN flyweight champion and Horiguchi won by second round submission.
RIZIN 47 Prediction
I’m really curious to see how Sergio Pettis bounces back from his loss to Patchy Mix. When he lost to Rob Font in the UFC which was his last loss before the Mix loss, he won six fights in a row and captured a world title. That said, is he better than Horiguchi or did he get extremely fortunate landing that spinning backfist.
Horiguchi can match the speed of Pettis and if Pettis hasn’t improved his takedown defense, Horiguchi could have a very successful night. Worth noting this is only a three-round fight at RIZIN 47 versus their five round Bellator title fight. Had that fight been just three rounds, Horiguchi would’ve won a lopsided decision.
Over the course of three rounds, I like Kyoji Horiguchi. I think he gets his revenge and wins a decision on Sunday over Sergio Pettis handing him his second straight loss.
Prediction: Kyoji Horiguchi by Decision