Manel Kape's third-round finish of Kyoji Horiguchi gave him five knockout victories in UFC flyweight history, the most of any fighter in the division. Horiguchi had dominated the first two rounds with his signature in-and-out movement and a left hook that stunned Kape, but he lingered after a combination in round three and was caught flush. Kape switched from southpaw to orthodox just before landing the decisive shot. The next logical flyweight matchup is seen as Kape against Brandon Royval, a clash of two high-output aggressive fighters.
Manel Kape cemented his place in UFC flyweight history on June 21 by stopping Kyoji Horiguchi in the third round, recording his fifth knockout victory in the division — more than any fighter in flyweight history.
The finish did not come easily. Horiguchi controlled the opening two rounds with the elusive in-and-out movement that has defined his career, and a left hook that stunned Kape made it clear the Japanese veteran remained dangerous. But Horiguchi stayed in range a beat too long after landing a combination in round three, and Kape caught him flush with a decisive shot. A key detail in the sequence: Kape switched from southpaw to orthodox just before delivering the finishing blow, disguising his attack.
Kape, 32, is ranked sixth at flyweight and carries a 23-7 record fighting out of Xtreme Couture. The Angolan fighter operates at 4.68 significant strikes per minute with an impressive 55 percent striking accuracy, numbers that reflect a disciplined, high-quality output rather than pure volume.
Horiguchi, 35, entered the bout at 36-6, one of the most decorated fighters ever to compete in the weight class. He averages 3.64 significant strikes per minute and contributes on the ground as well, averaging 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes. His five-foot-four frame and 63-inch reach made his movement-based style particularly effective through the first half of the fight.
Why it matters
- Kape's record fifth flyweight KO separates him from every other finisher the division has produced.
- His climb from sixth in the rankings opens a compelling path forward in a stacked 125-pound picture.
- The most discussed next matchup pairs Kape against third-ranked Brandon Royval, a 33-year-old American who posts a massive 5.54 significant strikes per minute and over one submission attempt per 15 minutes — a high-stakes clash of two relentless offensive fighters with identical 68-inch reaches.
