UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is poised for a significant revenge bout against a former RIZIN rival, a crucial step before potentially securing a title shot.
The landscape of the UFC flyweight division is taking shape, with recent champion Joshua Van scheduled to defend his title against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 next month. Van claimed the championship after Alexandre Pantoja sustained an injury early in their December bout at UFC 323.
Beyond these top contenders, several other prominent flyweights are actively building strong arguments for a title opportunity. Among them is the rapidly rising Manel Kape, who most recently secured a finish against former title challenger Brandon Royval at the UFC’s 2025 finale in December.
Kape has engaged in verbal exchanges with Van recently, hinting at a potential clash between the two elite flyweights. However, the UFC has a different immediate plan for Kape, as he is set to pursue a long-awaited rematch against a former RIZIN adversary.
Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi Confirmed to Headline UFC Vegas 119
Kape is scheduled to face former Bellator bantamweight champion and UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 on June 20th. The octagon action will unfold at the UFC Apex.
Horiguchi returns for his second tenure with the UFC, following successful runs in RIZIN and Bellator between 2017 and 2024. Their initial encounter saw Horiguchi submit Kape during the 2017 RIZIN World Grand Prix Finals, a competitive contest while it lasted.
Kape has been on an impressive winning streak in the UFC flyweight division, securing victories in seven of his last eight bouts, notably finishing opponents like Bruno Silva, Asu Almabayev, and Zhalgas Zhumagulov. His most recent UFC loss was to Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304.
The highly anticipated Kape vs. Horiguchi bout will headline UFC Vegas 119, with the card also featuring a heavyweight clash between Jhonata Diniz and Jose Luiz. The complete UFC Vegas 119 lineup is anticipated to be finalized and unveiled in the upcoming weeks.
