UFC Fight Night: Kape vs Horiguchi Preview & Prediction

The UFC flyweight division is back in focus as Manel Kape goes head-to-head with Kyoji Horiguchi. It is a very highly anticipated main event. This bout holds an important place for the flyweight division. Because both competitors are in a clash for the championship once again after years.

This bout will remind them of the battle from their history. Kape and Horiguchi had a match against each other during the RIZIN event in 2017. Horiguchi won the match via submission. It has been several years since their last match. Since then, both opponents have improved their skills and techniques.

Kape has emerged as one of the best flyweights within the UFC organization. Due to his incredible speed and boxing power, he is popular among his fanbase. Horiguchi has proven to be one of the most respected lightweight talents in the sport of MMA.

A victory from this fight will open up a road for the fighters to challenge for a future championship. This heightens everyone’s expectation even further. Witness an exciting encounter of technique and fighting power in the octagon.

Kape vs Horiguchi: Event Details

Kape vs Horiguchi: Full Fight Card

Where can I watch the Kape vs Horiguchi fight?

Subscribers can watch the Kape vs Horiguchi championship fight and prelims through the streaming platforms listed below.

USA and Canada: Paramount+.

India: Airtel Xstream or ESPN.

UK and Europe: TNT Sports.

Globally: UFC Fight Pass and ESPN.

Kape vs Horiguchi: Fighters’ Bio and Stat

Manel Kape

Kyoji Horiguchi

Kape vs Horiguchi: Fighters’ Profile

Manel Kape

Manel Kape, commonly known as "Starboy”. He is one of the most popular Portuguese-Angolan MMA fighters in the UFC’s Flyweight category. Born on November 14, 1993, in Luanda, Angola, he started his career at age 17.

He has 22 successful bouts, 14 knockouts, and 5 submissions. Kape won the Rizin Bantamweight Championship and made a name for himself through his performances in the UFC. He has earned the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. Kape has been able to show off his power with fists in the ring. His goal is to reach the top of the flyweight ranks.

Kyoji Horiguchi

Kyoji Horiguchi was born on 12 October 1990 in Takasaki, Japan. He is a well-known mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's flyweight class. He is 5'5" tall and was initially trained in the world of karate when he was 5 years old. He started practicing MMA when he turned sixteen.

Shooto saw the fighting skills of Horiguchi, which led him to win the Bantamweight title. This helped him make his way into the UFC in 2013 to challenge for the flyweight belt. After that, he earned a spot in the championship bout in RIZIN. He won the RIZIN Bantamweight and Flyweight titles. A master class in strikes and submission. He holds an outstanding record in MMA with 36 wins and 15 knockouts.

As of February 2026, he currently holds the #5 rank on the UFC flyweight list.

Kape vs Horiguchi: Fight Prediction

This bout resembles a title eliminator. Both fighters will show their championship-caliber skills. There have been tremendous improvements in Kape’s performance since their last encounter. He showed off some of the best striking in the weight class. This is one of the few contenders with genius knockout power. He can stop any fight with one piece of brilliance.

Horiguchi is another story altogether. With all his experience, he makes it very hard to knock him out. The Japanese fighter knows how to handle pressure well.

This will give him an edge over five rounds. Kape will definitely win most of the exchanges. But because of Horiguchi’s speed, there may be instances where he might be able to evade the blows. The winner of this bout would depend on which of the two fighters can handle the pressure over five rounds.

The Pick: Kyoji Horiguchi by decision.