Manel Kape Extends Streak To Four With Stoppage Victory Over Kyoji Horiguchi

By FIGHT SPORTS Jun 20, 2026

Tonight live inside the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Manel Kape achieved an impressive third-round finish over Kyoji Horiguchi, stopping the Japanese star’s momentum.

Since his return to the UFC last year, Horiguchi managed to find victory in both outings, most recently with his unanimous decision over Amir Albazi back in February. Meanwhile, Kape was carrying serious momentum of his own, mainly from his knockout win over former title challenger Brandon Royval back in December, a win that established the Angola-born prospect’s position as a threat to the top of the flyweight division.

Throughout the match, the pair were both throwing and landing powerful blows, but ultimately Horiguchi was coming out of most exchanges with less damage absorbed. But eventually, Horiguchi’s open style of striking while moving forward led to him paying a devastating price, as Kape waited for the right opportunity to strike with a series of punches, finishing the fight in the third and final round to escape what likely would have been a loss on the judges’ scorecards.

Following the victory during his in-octagon interview after the official result announcement, Kape expressed that he feels he is more than deserving of a shot at the flyweight belt, currently held by champion Joshua Van.

Four straight finishes 🫨@ManelKape just launched himself into championship contention with ANOTHER finish at #UFCVegas119! pic.twitter.com/8yEeS8DrN6

— UFC (@ufc) June 21, 2026

UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi Full Card Results:

Manel Kape def. Kyoji Horiguchi via TKO (Punches) – Round 3, 2:42
Navajo Stirling def. Ion Cutelaba via TKO (Punches and Elbows) – Round 2, 3:23
Christian Rodriguez def. Hyder Amil via Submission (Guillotine Choke) – Round 1, 3:43
Murtazali Magomedov def. Melsik Baghdasaryan via Submission (Modified Twister) – Round 1, 1:17
Vinicius Oliveira def. Andre Fili via TKO (Elbows) – Round 2, 4:56
Kevin Borjas def. André Lima via Decision (Unanimous)
Bia Mesquita def. Melissa Mullins via Submission (Armbar) – Round 1, 3:16
Mitch Raposo def. Allan Nascimento via Decision (Split)
Gaston Bolaños def. Michael Aswell Jr. via Decision (Unanimous)
Levan Chokheli def. Leon Shahbazyan via TKO (Leg Kick and Punches) – Round 1, 0:23
Luana Santos def. Karol Rosa via Decision (Unanimous)
Shane Collins def. Otari Tanzilovi via Decision (Unanimous)