Kyoji Horiguchi met the media Saturday after his win over Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Fight Night 265.

Horiguchi (35-5 MMA, 8-1 UFC) put together a dominant first 10 minutes against Ulanbekov (17-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) to open up the main card at ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar, then submitted him with a rear-naked choke in the third round.

Horiguchi left the UFC nine years ago after a 7-1 run in the promotion that included a flyweight title shot – which he lost when he tapped to Demetrious Johnson with just one second left in their five-round title fight. The nine years between UFC appearances for Horiguchi is a modern-era record.

Now Horiguchi, who won Bellator and Rizin flyweight titles in the time he was away, is looking for a return to flyweight title contention and a shot at champion Alexandre Pantoja – one of his teammates at American Top Team.

"I have a lot of confidence – that's why I don't feel nervous," Horiguchi told UFC.com after the fight. "I'm just focused on the (flyweight) belt. That's all. … If the UFC offers me (any) fight, I can do it. I'm a fighter."

Horiguchi is known for being a gym rat, and once famously lived in American Top Team's dorms for years. He said because he trains to be a well-rounded fighter, he's seldom worried about being in a position in which he can't finish the fight.

Although he couldn't find a finish in the first 10 minutes against Ulanbekov, he stayed after it.

"I'm always practicing everywhere. If I have a chance, I can grab (for a submission)."

Check out Horiguchi's post-fight interview in the video below.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Kyoji Horiguchi wants flyweight title shot after UFC Qatar return win