UFC Qatar Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi: Preview and Prediction

This weekend, UFC Qatar will take place inside the ABHA Arena in Doha, and the hype surrounding the event is huge. The fight card is stacked with several important bouts carrying major title implications. This includes the anticipated featherweight clash between Tagir Ulanbekov and Kyoji Horiguchi. Let’s analyse which determined fighter holds the better chance to ultimately claim a strong victory.

Tagir Ulanbekov

Tagir Ulanbekov is a disciplined Dagestani fighter known for strong grappling foundations developed through years of demanding regional training programs. The fighter trains with the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, etc, and has a considerable fan base.

He recently defeated Jake Hadley impressively, extending his winning streak and further solidifying his rising status within the competitive division. This important matchup against Kyoji Horiguchi offers Ulanbekov a valuable opportunity to prove readiness for higher-ranked opposition and greater challenges

Kyoji Horiguchi

Kyoji Horiguchi returns to the UFC after nine years, bringing elite experience and refined skills from global championship successes abroad. The Japanese veteran strengthened his reputation through relentless dedication, sharp striking development, and consistent adaptability displayed against numerous elite opponents.

His long-awaited UFC return marks a meaningful milestone, giving him renewed opportunity to showcase elite abilities against top-tier competition again. The fighter is 34 years old and had a great run as the former RIZIN flyweight champion and would like to continue that momentum.

When and how to watch the fight?

The main card of UFC Qatar begins at 6:00 PM GMT in the UK and at 1:00 PM ET in the U.S. Preliminary fights kick off at 3:00 PM GMT in the UK and 10:00 AM ET in the U.S. UK viewers can watch via TNT Sports or UFC Fight Pass, while US fans can stream the event on the ESPN App/ESPN+.

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Tale of the Tape

CATEGORY	Tagir Ulanbekov	Kyoji Horiguchi
AGE	34	35
HEIGHT	1.7 m	1.63 m
REACH	177.8 cm	160 cm
PRO RECORD	17 – 2 – 0	34 – 5 – 0
FIGHTING OUT OF	Russian SFSR, Soviet Union	Takasaki, Gunma, Japan

Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi final prediction

This matchup features contrasting styles as Tagir Ulanbekov relies on grappling pressure while Kyoji Horiguchi utilizes sharp striking effectively. Ulanbekov may begin applying forward pressure early, forcing clinch exchanges and steadily neutralizing Horiguchi’s dynamic movement across various positions. Horiguchi will likely attempt counterstriking entries, using rapid footwork and adjustments to create disruptive offensive opportunities throughout exchanges effectively.

As grappling exchanges accumulate, Ulanbekov’s control advantages could gradually shift momentum, limiting Horiguchi’s rhythm and reducing his countering effectiveness. Given stylistic dynamics and consistent pressure potential, Ulanbekov appears favored to secure positional dominance and ultimately claim a convincing victory.

Prediction: Tagir Ulanbekov via submission in Round 3