Kyoyi Horiguchi to face Asu Almabayev at UFC Qatar on November 21

Kyoji Horiguchi is headed to the Middle East, with a flyweight matchup against Asu Almabayev confirmed for UFC Qatar in Doha on November 21st.

Almabayev enters the bout as one of the more well-rounded threats in the 125-pound division. The 32-year-old Kazakhstani, who competes out of DAR Pro Team, carries a record of 24 wins and 3 losses and is currently ranked seventh in the flyweight standings. Standing five-foot-four with a 65-inch reach, "Zulfikar" is a particularly dangerous grappler, averaging 4.46 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also generates submission attempts at a rate of 1.5 per 15 minutes, adding a layer of danger wherever the fight hits the floor. On the feet, he lands 2.31 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy clip, making him a credible threat in every phase.

Horiguchi's verified data was not available in the current records, but the Japanese contender has long been regarded as one of the most accomplished flyweights to compete in the division.

Why it matters

• Almabayev is ranked seventh in flyweight, meaning a strong performance could push either man closer to title contention
• Horiguchi brings elite technical striking and significant career experience, setting up a compelling stylistic contrast with Almabayev's grappling-heavy approach
• The bout adds meaningful divisional weight to the UFC Qatar card, giving the Doha event a legitimate 125-pound showcase