Kyoji Horiguchi has an understanding of Darrion Caldwell’s approach, but expects a different fighter in the rematch.

Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi seeks to capture another title against Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 222. Although Horiguchi already holds a victory over the current Bellator bantamweight champion, he isn’t getting overconfident with the outcome.

“The outcome of the first fight really doesn’t affect me,” said Horiguchi. “I try not to think about it. I do consider facing a different fighter from the first fight. So the first fight doesn’t really matter.”

Horiguchi (27-2) and Caldwell (13-2) met last December at Rizin 14 for the vacant bantamweight title. Horiguchi went on to become the new champion after he got Caldwell to tap on a guillotine choke, about one minute into the third round.

This time Caldwell’s Bellator title will be at stake, as he makes his second defense in a co-joint between the two promotions. Horiguchi hopes that a victory over Caldwell will set up more things to come among promotions within mixed martial arts.

“For me winning two belts with different promotions, I hope this means we can overcome boundaries of promotions,” said Horiguchi. “Just like boxing is starting to do. And I hope this can be the first step.”