Manel Kape defeated Kyoji Horiguchi by TKO in the third round [3] during the UFC Vegas 119 event on June 20, 2026 [2].

The victory marks a significant personal and professional milestone for Kape, who used the bout to avenge a previous loss to Horiguchi in the RIZIN promotion.

The fight took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada [1]. Kape secured the win in a come-from-behind effort that concluded in the third round [3]. Following the victory, Kape participated in an octagon interview to discuss the fight and the nature of the rivalry between the two fighters [1].

This result extends a dominant streak for the professional mixed-martial-arts fighter. The TKO victory represents Kape's fourth [1] straight knockout finish. By overcoming Horiguchi, Kape has resolved a long-standing competitive narrative that began prior to their arrival in the UFC.

The event, held on June 20, 2026 [2], featured several high-profile matchups. While other fighters on the card earned bonuses for rare finishes, Kape's performance was highlighted by his ability to recover from early pressure to secure the stoppage [1].

Kape's trajectory in the division has shifted with this result. The win reinforces his standing as a dangerous finisher in the flyweight ranks, and demonstrates his ability to adjust his strategy mid-fight to overcome a world-class opponent.

“Manel Kape defeated Kyoji Horiguchi by TKO in the third round”

This victory establishes Manel Kape as a top contender in his weight class by proving he can overcome an opponent who previously held a psychological and technical advantage. By securing his fourth consecutive knockout, Kape demonstrates a level of finishing power that forces the division to reconsider his threat level and potentially accelerates his path toward a title shot.