Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi serve as the headliners for UFC Vegas 119 this weekend. The two fighters have met before — Horiguchi defeated Kape by rear-naked choke in the third round at a Rizin event in Japan in December 2017.
Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi will meet in a flyweight main event at UFC Vegas 119 this weekend, a rematch that carries genuine divisional weight and a score left unsettled from nearly a decade ago.
Kape, known as "StarBoy," enters the headliner carrying a 23-7 record and the number-six ranking in the flyweight division. The 32-year-old Angolan, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is one of the more dangerous strikers in the weight class, landing 4.68 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 55 percent. Fighting out of a southpaw stance with a 68-inch reach, he has the tools to create serious problems at range.
Horiguchi brings an even more decorated résumé to the cage. The 35-year-old Japanese veteran, now with American Top Team, holds a 36-6 record and fights out of an orthodox stance. He lands 3.64 significant strikes per minute and mixes in a consistent takedown threat, averaging 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes. His well-rounded game has made him one of the most respected flyweights of his generation.
The two have history. Horiguchi defeated Kape by rear-naked choke in the third round at a Rizin event in Japan in December 2017, giving him a psychological and competitive edge heading into this weekend's rematch.
Why it matters
- Kape sits sixth in the flyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance could push either man toward title contention
- Horiguchi's takedown volume against Kape's striking output sets up a compelling grappling-versus-striking dynamic
- The 2017 finish gives the bout an added layer of unfinished business rarely seen at this level of the division
