The UFC has officially confirmed that Manel Kape will face Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119. The event is scheduled for June 20. This flyweight matchup will serve as the headliner for the card. No additional details about the full card were provided in the announcement.
The UFC has officially confirmed a flyweight main event for UFC Vegas 119 on June 20, with Manel Kape set to clash with Kyoji Horiguchi.
Kape, ranked sixth in the flyweight division, carries a 23-7 record into the contest. The 32-year-old Angolan southpaw trains out of Xtreme Couture and stands five-foot-five with a 68-inch reach. He is one of the more prolific strikers in the division, landing 4.68 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent striking accuracy rate, making him a constant threat on the feet.
Horiguchi enters with one of the most decorated resumes in flyweight history, holding a 36-6 record across his career. The 35-year-old Japanese fighter trains out of American Top Team and stands five-foot-four with a 63-inch reach. He brings a more well-rounded offensive game, averaging 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes to complement his 3.64 significant strikes per minute. He fights out of an orthodox stance.
Why it matters
- Kape sits at sixth in the flyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance could push him into title contention
- Horiguchi's vast experience and takedown threat offers a distinct stylistic challenge for the high-volume striker from Angola
- The reach advantage belongs to Kape, measuring five inches longer than Horiguchi's 63-inch reach
- A main event victory for either fighter would represent a significant statement at 125 pounds
