Alexandre Pantoja's flyweight division saw a dramatic finish as Manel Kape knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi in the third round, extending his knockout streak to four consecutive stoppages. Horiguchi had controlled the first two rounds with sharp counters and movement, but was caught when he lingered inside after landing a combination. The win gives Kape the all-time record for knockouts in the UFC flyweight division with five, and sets up a potential blockbuster matchup against a top contender.
Manel "StarBoy" Kape cemented his status as the flyweight division's most dangerous finisher by stopping Kyoji Horiguchi in the third round, recording his fourth consecutive UFC knockout and setting a new all-time record for stoppages in the 125-pound weight class.
Kape, 32, entered the fight ranked sixth in the flyweight division and has now amassed five knockout victories in the UFC, more than any other flyweight in the promotion's history. The Angolan southpaw trains out of Xtreme Couture and brings a relentless offensive game, averaging 4.68 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate. At five-foot-five with a 68-inch reach, he generates serious power from an unorthodox angle that consistently troubles opponents. His record now stands at 23-7-0.
Horiguchi, at 35, came in as one of the most decorated fighters in flyweight history with a 36-6-0 record and the backing of American Top Team. The Japanese veteran controlled the opening two rounds with sharp counters and disciplined footwork, averaging 3.64 significant strikes per minute across his career. Despite his well-rounded skill set — including 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes — he was caught by Kape after lingering inside following a combination in the third, and was unable to recover.
Why it matters
- Kape's five flyweight knockouts set a new all-time UFC divisional record, establishing him as the premier finishing threat at 125 pounds.
- Four straight stoppages give him undeniable momentum heading into a potential matchup with a top contender inside Alexandre Pantoja's title picture.
- The stylistic contrast in this bout — Horiguchi's technical counter-striking against Kape's southpaw power — showed that even disciplined veterans can be caught when they extend their time in the pocket.
