Kyoji Horiguchi’s reign as Bellator bantamweight champion has come to an unfortunate end.
Injuries have forced the 29-year-old Japanese star to relinquish the 135-pound title, according to a press release from Bellator on Wednesday.
“I feel terrible for Kyoji [Horiguchi] about the injury he suffered to his knee, but in the true spirit of martial arts and being a true champion, he has elected to vacate his title and allow the division to move forward in his absence,” Bellator President Scott Coker said in the release. “After fully healing, we plan to give Kyoji an immediate title shot.