The UFC has officially announced that Manel Kape will face Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119, scheduled for June 20th. This flyweight bout represents a significant matchup between two elite fighters in the division. The post includes a poll asking fans to predict the outcome, with options indicating Kape as the favorite or Horiguchi as the potential winner. No additional details about rankings, stakes, or backstory to the matchup are provided in this brief announcement.
The UFC has made it official: Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi will square off in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 on June 20, with the flyweight matchup set to headline what shapes up as a compelling evening at the Apex.
Kape, known as "StarBoy," enters the bout ranked sixth in the flyweight division. The 32-year-old Angolan, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a record of 23-7 and brings one of the more dangerous striking games in the 125-pound weight class. Fighting out of a southpaw stance with a 68-inch reach, he lands 4.68 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, numbers that place him among the division's most efficient finishers.
Horiguchi, meanwhile, represents a significant challenge for any fighter in the flyweight tier. The 35-year-old Japanese veteran, now based at American Top Team, brings a polished 36-6 record built over a long and decorated career. Standing five-foot-four with a 63-inch reach, he operates from an orthodox stance and mixes his striking with a meaningful wrestling threat, averaging 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes. He lands 3.64 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, demonstrating consistent volume across his fights.
Why it matters
- Kape holds the number-six divisional ranking, meaning a strong performance could push him firmly into title contention
- Horiguchi's extensive resume and wrestling-based game present a genuine stylistic test for Kape's southpaw striking
- A flyweight main event at the Apex signals the UFC's confidence in both men to carry a card, raising the profile of the 125-pound division heading into the summer
