Manel Kape secured a third-round knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi in their highly anticipated rematch, nearly nine years after Horiguchi dominated the first meeting. Horiguchi again displayed his class, outworking Kape for two rounds with speed, counter-punching, and takedowns, but was stopped when he lingered too long after a combination and Kape switched stances to land a decisive counter. Kape now holds four consecutive knockouts in the flyweight division and the all-time UFC flyweight record with five stoppages.
Manel Kape finished Kyoji Horiguchi by third-round knockout in their long-awaited rematch on June 21, 2026, closing the book on a rivalry that began nearly nine years earlier with a decisive Horiguchi victory.
Kape, 32, came in ranked sixth in the flyweight division and carrying momentum from three straight finishes. The Angolan southpaw out of Xtreme Couture now stands at 23-7-0 and has recorded four consecutive knockouts at 125 pounds, a run that has also given him the all-time UFC flyweight record with five stoppages. He lands 4.68 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most efficient power punchers.
Horiguchi, 35, was far from outclassed. The Japanese veteran representing American Top Team brought his trademark combination of speed and counter-punching to the first two rounds, adding takedowns at a rate of 1.67 per 15 minutes to keep Kape honest and edge those frames on the scorecards. His overall record now sits at 36-6-0, and his 3.64 significant strikes per minute reflects a fighter who picks his shots with purpose rather than volume. Ultimately, however, a momentary lapse proved costly. Kape read Horiguchi lingering after an exchange, switched his southpaw stance to create a new angle, and landed the counter that ended the fight.
Why it matters
- Kape's five UFC flyweight stoppages set an all-time divisional record and cement his status as the most dangerous finisher at 125 pounds
- Four consecutive knockouts make a strong case for a title shot, with significant ranking implications at flyweight
- Horiguchi's willingness to mix takedowns with counter-punching troubled Kape early, illustrating the stylistic complexity the Japanese veteran brings even deep into his career
