Report: Horiguchi out of UFC return in Azerbaijan

Kyoji Horiguchi's highly anticipated return to the UFC will have to wait.

The flyweight contender is out of his June 21 fight against Tagir Ulanbekov in Baku, Azerbaijan, for an undisclosed reason, sources told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn.

Two-fight UFC veteran Azat Maksum will reportedly step in against Ulanbekov on short notice.

Horiguchi, a former Bellator and Rizin FF champion, was slated to begin his second stint in the UFC after almost nine years away from the world's biggest MMA promotion.

The 34-year-old Japan native competed in the Octagon from 2013-16, putting together a 7-1 record. Horiguchi's lone loss came in a title fight against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 186 in 2015.

Horiguchi has gone 16-3 (1 NC) since his first UFC run. He captured the Rizin bantamweight title, the Bellator bantamweight title, and, most recently, the Rizin flyweight title. Horiguchi is riding a six-fight winning streak.