Bellator 222 Results: Kyoji Horiguchi defeats Darrion Caldwell

A highly anticipated rematch between Darrion Caldwell and Kyoji Horiguchi took place at tonight’s Bellator 222 event in New York City.

Horiguchi (27-2 MMA) submitted Caldwell (12-2 MMA) in the third round of their New Years Eve bout in Japan. The victory crowned Horiguchi the first Rizin FF super bantamweight champion.

Darrion Caldwell was able to gain top position and impose his will on Kyoji Horiguchi in round one. The Bellator champion landed some good strikes while in top position to easily take the opening round.

In round two Caldwell was once again able to get Horiguchi to the canvas. However, this time ‘The Guch’ would return to his feet where he rattled off some nice combinations and perhaps stealing the round.

Wasn't easy, but @TheWolfMMA scores that takedown in round two.

Watch the #Bellator222 main card with @DAZN_USA in the 🇺🇸 and @SkySports in the 🇬🇧. pic.twitter.com/9MYvYYN0i8

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 15, 2019

Round three and Darrion Caldwell immediately shoots in. Good sprawl from Kyoji Horiguchi keeps this fight standing. A trip from Horiguchi and the fight is on the floor. Good shot from the top by Kyoji.  Caldwell scrambles back to his feet. Horiguchi is on him with left hands. Both men trading leather now. Caldwell gets a takedown. Kyoji gets up and lands a right. The horn sounds to end the round.

https://twitter.com/bellatormma/status/1139722622609043456?s=21

Round four and Kyoji Horiguchi jumps on a guillotine choke. Darrion Caldwell breaks free. Wow that was almost a repeat of their first fight. Caldwell gets top position but it is Kyoji landing punches from off of his back. Not much action at all from Caldwell. Kyoji continues to throw strikes from off his back. The referee finally steps in and stands them up. Caldwell immediately shoots for a takedown. Horiguchi defends and lands a nice hammer fist. A big right hand from Kyoji. Caldwell answers with a knee. Kyoji Horiguchi scores a late trip to end the round.

Round five of this Bellator 222 fight begins and Horiguchi lands a body kick. He comes out aggressive and that allows Darrion Caldwell an opening to shoot in and take him down. Again very little action here from Caldwell. The crowd rains down boos. Horiguchi looks for a guillotine. It is not there. Caldwell has thrown next to nothing. Kyoji with body shots. He scrambles back to his feet. Caldwell shoots in. Horiguchi with nice elbows on the fence. He works the body now. Caldwell with an elbow that cuts Horiguchi open. The horn sounds to end round five.

Official Bellator 222 Result: Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrion Caldwell by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)