Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: ESPN+ (Main Card)
A high‑level flyweight showdown headlines UFC Vegas 119 as Manel Kape, one of the division’s most explosive strikers, meets Kyoji Horiguchi, a legendary veteran with championship pedigree across multiple promotions. This is a razor‑sharp matchup between two elite athletes with speed, power, and finishing instincts — a fight that could easily determine the next title challenger.
VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon
Impact:
Smaller cage = more engagements
Favors pressure fighters and fast scramblers
Both men thrive in tight spaces, making this a high‑pace striking battle
INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES
Manel Kape
No reported injuries
Training at AKA Thailand / Xtreme Couture
Camp focus: counter‑striking, takedown defense, explosive entries
Coaches emphasize patience and shot selection
Kyoji Horiguchi
No injuries reported
Training at American Top Team (ATT)
Camp focus: footwork, angle changes, reactive takedowns
Emphasis on mixing striking with level changes to disrupt Kape’s rhythm
FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS
Manel “Starboy” Kape
Record: 20–6 Style: Explosive counter‑striker, elite athleticism Strengths:
Lightning‑fast hands
Devastating counter right hook
Excellent timing and reflexes
Strong takedown defense
Dangerous finishing instincts
Weaknesses:
Low output at times
Can be overly patient
Occasionally loses rounds due to inactivity
Recent Form
4–0 (1 NC) in last 5
Wins over top‑15 contenders
Looks like a legitimate title threat
Path to Victory
Counter Horiguchi’s entries
Keep fight in boxing range
Use speed advantage to win exchanges
Kyoji Horiguchi
Record: 32–5 Style: Karate‑based movement, fast blitzes, well‑rounded grappling Strengths:
Elite footwork and angles
Fast combinations
Strong wrestling and top control
Championship experience
Excellent fight IQ
Weaknesses:
Chin not as durable as earlier in career
Can be caught during blitz entries
Age and mileage may affect speed
Recent Form
3–1 in last 4
Wins in both UFC and RIZIN
Still one of the fastest flyweights in the world
Path to Victory
Mix striking with takedowns
Use lateral movement to avoid Kape’s counters
Win rounds with volume and cage control
FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT
First meeting between the two
Kape is a former RIZIN champion — Horiguchi is a former RIZIN and Bellator champion
Both have fought elite competition across multiple organizations
Stylistically: elite counter‑striker vs. elite movement striker/wrestler
Winner likely becomes next in line for a UFC flyweight title shot
BETTING TRENDS
Manel Kape Trends
4 of last 6 wins by KO
5–1 as a UFC favorite
Has not been finished in the UFC
Kyoji Horiguchi Trends
7 of last 10 fights went to decision
3–2 as an underdog
Has been knocked out twice in last 5 years
MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY
| Category | Edge |
| Striking Power | Kape |
| Speed | Even |
| Footwork | Horiguchi |
| Grappling | Horiguchi |
| Durability | Kape |
| Fight IQ | Horiguchi |
| Finishing Ability | Kape |
FIGHT ODDS
Manel Kape – 150
Kyoji Horiguchi + 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026
