Charles Johnson calls out Horiguchi or Taira for Japan fight after UFC Baku

Flyweight Charles "InnerG" Johnson has issued a public callout targeting either Kyoji Horiguchi or Tatsuro Taira for a bout on Japanese soil, with the American making the challenge in the wake of his scheduled appearance at UFC Baku.

Johnson, 35, carries a 19-9-0 record and fights out of Murcielago MMA as a switch-stance flyweight. Standing five-foot-nine with a 70-inch reach, he is one of the division's more active strikers, landing 4.77 significant strikes per minute. His message was direct: he wants to make an impression in the Japanese market after UFC Baku, and he has named two recognizable opponents to do it with.

Kyoji Horiguchi would represent the higher-profile target of the two. The 35-year-old Japanese veteran holds a 36-6-0 record and competes out of American Top Team. Standing just five-foot-four with a 63-inch reach, Horiguchi has built one of the sport's more decorated flyweight careers, averaging 3.64 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy across his fights.

Tatsuro Taira, the other name on Johnson's list, is ranked fifth in the flyweight division and presents a sharply different stylistic challenge. The 26-year-old from Japan trains with The Blackbelt Japan and owns an 18-2-0 record. He stands five-foot-seven with a 70-inch reach and is a well-rounded threat, posting 3.12 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy mark — the highest of the three fighters in this conversation.

Why it matters

• A win over either opponent in Japan would carry significant weight given both fighters' standing in the division and their popularity in that market
• Taira's ranking at fifth in the flyweight division means a victory there would push Johnson directly into title contention conversations
• The stylistic contrast is stark — Horiguchi offers a striking-heavy matchup while Taira's grappling volume and takedown rate could neutralize Johnson's offensive output on the feet