Manel Kape secured a knockout victory over Kyoji Horiguchi with a decisive right hand, switching from southpaw to orthodox stance in the moments before the finishing blow. Horiguchi had controlled much of the fight with effective left-hand strikes, takedowns, and footwork, including a notable left hook in the second round. Despite the loss, Horiguchi's performance reinforced his reputation as an elite fighter, while Kape's rare knockout power at flyweight makes him a legitimate title contender.
Manel Kape pulled off a stunning knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi on June 21, 2026, finishing the veteran Japanese fighter with a decisive right hand after a subtle but decisive switch from southpaw to orthodox stance in the moments before the blow landed.
Kape, nicknamed "StarBoy," entered the fight ranked sixth in the flyweight division with a record of 23-7-0. The 32-year-old Angolan, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, stands five-foot-five with a 68-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous finishers. His output backs that reputation: he lands 4.68 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, elite numbers for any weight class.
Horiguchi brought a 36-6-0 record into the contest and had controlled large stretches of the fight with sharp left-hand work, active takedowns, and disciplined footwork. A notable left hook in the second round illustrated why the 35-year-old from Japan remains one of flyweight's most complete fighters. He averages 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes to complement his 3.64 significant strikes per minute, giving opponents problems across multiple dimensions.
Despite controlling the pace for long stretches, Horiguchi could not protect against Kape's stance change, a rare tactical wrinkle that disguised the finishing right hand and left the Japanese veteran unable to adjust in time.
Why it matters
- Kape's win cements his standing as a legitimate flyweight title contender at ranked sixth in the division
- Horiguchi's ability to dominate portions of the fight despite the loss reinforces his position as an elite-level threat who cannot be overlooked in future title-picture conversations
- The stance-switch finish adds a new tactical dimension to Kape's game that future opponents will need to prepare for
