Manel Kape finished Kyoji Horiguchi with a stunning third-round knockout, recording his fourth consecutive finish at flyweight and moving to first place in divisional knockout history with five stoppages. Horiguchi had controlled the first two rounds with his trademark speed and distance manipulation, but he hesitated after landing a combination in the third and Kape countered with a decisive right hook that ended the contest. The loss is a bitter blow for Horiguchi, who had dropped Kape four times in their first meeting nearly nine years ago and was on course for another dominant performance before the single lapse.
Manel Kape delivered a stunning third-round knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi on June 21, 2026, securing his fourth consecutive finish at flyweight and cementing his place atop divisional knockout history with five stoppages at 125 pounds.
Kape, 32, entered the fight ranked sixth in the flyweight division with a record of 23-7. The Angolan southpaw trains out of Xtreme Couture and has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, averaging 4.68 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate — figures that rank among the best in the weight class. Standing five-foot-five with a 68-inch reach, he relies heavily on volume and timing rather than clinch or grappling work.
Horiguchi, 35, came in with a record of 36-6 and the kind of pedigree that makes him a nightmare stylistic matchup for nearly anyone. The Japanese veteran, now training out of American Top Team, is renowned for his footwork and hand speed, and those qualities were on full display through the first two rounds. He averaged 3.64 significant strikes per minute across his career and has always been difficult to pin down, landing at 47 percent accuracy while also mixing in takedowns at a rate of 1.67 per 15 minutes. It was a moment of hesitation after landing a combination in the third round that proved fatal, as Kape timed a right hook counter to close the show.
The result adds a painful footnote to a rivalry with deep history. Horiguchi had dropped Kape four times when the two previously met nearly nine years ago, and was on track for another commanding performance before the single lapse.
Why it matters
- Kape now holds the all-time flyweight UFC knockout record with five stoppages, separating himself from the rest of the division
- Four consecutive finishes in a row strengthens his case for a title shot despite sitting sixth in the rankings
- The loss stalls Horiguchi's momentum and raises questions about his path back toward contention at 125 pounds
