Manel Kape knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi in the third round, handing the Japanese veteran a heartbreaking defeat after Horiguchi had controlled the first two rounds with precise movement, counter-punching, and grappling. Kape capitalized on a brief moment when Horiguchi held his ground too long after throwing a combination, switching his stance and landing the decisive right hand. The finish is Kape's fourth consecutive knockout in the flyweight division, moving him to first place in UFC flyweight knockout history with five stoppages.
Manel Kape delivered a stunning third-round knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi on June 21, 2026, storming back from a difficult early deficit to secure one of the most dramatic finishes in recent flyweight history.
Kape, 32, entered the fight ranked sixth in the UFC flyweight division with a record of 23-7. The Angolan southpaw, fighting out of Xtreme Couture, has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers at 125 pounds, and this performance only reinforced that status. Landing 4.68 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, he generates consistent offensive pressure. With five career UFC knockouts, he now stands alone at the top of the flyweight division's all-time stoppage list — this result being his fourth consecutive knockout finish.
Horiguchi came in with a record of 36-6 and a wealth of experience at the elite level. The 35-year-old Japanese fighter, training out of American Top Team, controlled the first two rounds through precise movement, sharp counter-punching, and grappling that showcased his 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes. His reach of 63 inches and five-foot-four frame make him a difficult puzzle to solve, and for much of the contest he appeared to be on course for a decisive victory.
The finish came when Horiguchi stood his ground a beat too long after throwing a combination. Kape switched his stance and landed a right hand that ended the fight immediately in the third round, turning a losing night into a historic one.
Why it matters
- Kape's four consecutive UFC knockouts give him undeniable momentum in a crowded divisional picture
- Moving to fifth in flyweight KO history and claiming sole first place adds a significant milestone to his résumé
- Horiguchi's loss complicates his path back toward title contention after what had been a commanding performance through two rounds
- The stylistic contrast — Kape's heavy volume striking against Horiguchi's counter-based movement and grappling — made the result a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift at flyweight
