According to World Victory Road, Akihiro Gono will lock up with Dan Hornbuckle at Sengoku 9, which is scheduled to take place on August 2 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

After dropping two decisions, the UFC released Gono, losing to Dan Hardy and Jon Fitch; meanwhile, Hornbuckle last competed at Sengoku 2 in May 2008, losing to Mike Pyle.  Since then, he has notched two victories on the smaller MMA circuits.