UFC Fight Night Kape Vs. Horiguchi 2 Results, Bonuses And Highlights

Manel Kape sent a thunderous message to the flyweight division: the title shot is his. At UFC Vegas 119, Kape stopped former champion Kyoji Horiguchi by third-round TKO, cementing his spot as the next contender for the 125-pound crown.

Kape, the rising star from Angola, controlled the bout from the opening bell at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on June 20, 2026. After a competitive first round, he turned up the pressure in the second, landing brutal combinations. Horiguchi, a former Bellator and Rizin champion, struggled to find his range. The end came at 4:23 of round three when referee Herb Dean stepped in as Kape unloaded unanswered strikes along the cage.

The victory improved Kape's record to 21-6 and extended his winning streak to four. More importantly, it set up a flyweight title fight against champion Alexandre Pantoja, who watched cageside. The UFC has not announced a date, but insiders expect the bout to headline a pay-per-view later this year.

This fight headlined a 13-bout card that included several finishes and bonus-worthy performances. The promotion awarded $50,000 performance bonuses to Kape, plus to middleweight prospect Caio Borralho for his first-round submission, and to featherweight newcomer Youssef Zalal for a stunning knockout. The event drew a reported 1.2 million viewers on ESPN, making it one of the most-watched Fight Nights of 2026.

Horiguchi, now 33-6, falls to 0-2 in the UFC after a brief stint in Japan. At 39, questions swirl about his future in the sport. Kape, 31, enters his prime with momentum and a chip on his shoulder. "I've been waiting for this moment my whole career," Kape said in his post-fight interview. "Pantoja is a dog, but I'm coming for that belt."

The flyweight division has been red-hot since Pantoja's title reign began in 2023. Kape presents a unique challenge: explosive power, improving wrestling, and freestyle striking. Fight analysts point to Kape's footwork and head movement as key differences against Pantoja's pressure style.

Looking ahead, the UFC is targeting a fall date for the title fight, possibly at UFC 310 in November. Pantoja is expected to undergo a minor knee surgery but will be ready. If Kape wins, he would become only the second African-born UFC champion after Kamaru Usman, adding a powerful narrative to the bout.

Kape vs. Horiguchi 2 results already reverberate through the MMA world. The performance bonus, the dominant finish, and the looming title shot make this fight a career-defining moment. All eyes now turn to the Kape vs. Pantoja showdown.