Manel Kape, 32, of Porto, Portugal was one of the winners of the Ultimate Fighting Champion event “UFC Fight Night 279“. Also known as “UFC Vegas 119”, the mixed martial arts event was held at the Meta Apex in Enterprise, Nevada, United States on June 20, 2026.

“UFC Fight Night 279”

In the main event of “UFC Fight Night 279”, Kape settled an eight-year-old score with former RIZIN and Bellator champion Kyoji Horiguchi, 35, of Gunma Jaoan. The former delivered a third-round TKO victory at 2:42, securing his fourth consecutive win and reinforcing his claim as the division’s undisputed number-one contender.

The bout served as a long-awaited rematch from New Year’s Eve in 2017, when Horiguchi submitted a younger Kape in RIZIN. Early in the headliner, history appeared to repeat itself as the Japanese MMA fighter utilized sharp movement and tactical grappling to control the narrative.

Horiguchi grounded Kape for nearly the entire second round, grinding away from top position. However, the Portuguese contender’s defensive resilience prevented any major damage, allowing him to stay composed entering the third frame.

The decisive moment came midway through Round 3. Switching stances to create unpredictable angles, Kape clipped Horiguchi with a clean right hook. As Horiguchi dropped to all fours, Kape capitalized instantly, driving a precise uppercut under his opponent’s armpit to prompt referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the fight.

After the fight, Kape showed deep respect for his former rival, expressing gratitude to Horiguchi and noting that facing him in 2017 helped shape the fighter he is today. Reflecting on the tide-turning finish, the winner emphasized his relentless mindset and explosive power, stating,

“One thing about me, I never give up”, Kape stated. “If I touch you one time, believe me, you’re gonna be dead.”

While Horiguchi was initially frustrated by the stoppage, Kape’s follow-up strikes left no doubt about the outcome. Now boasting eight victories in his last nine Octagon appearances, the fighter from Porto firmly set his sights on a world championship showdown against reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van.

Reflecting on his journey, Kape credited his faith for guiding his path through adversity and expressed full confidence that his next step must be a shot at the UFC belt.

Manel Kape

Born in Luanda, Angola, Kape turned 32 on November 14, 2025. He is 5’5″ tall.

Before entering the UFC, Kape built a formidable reputation on the international circuit. He captured the RIZIN Bantamweight Championship in December 2019 by defeating Kai Asakura via second-round TKO. Following his success in Japan, he signed with the UFC in 2020, making his promotional debut in early 2021.

Over the course of his UFC career, Kape has steadily climbed the 125-pound rankings, picking up decisive victories over notable contenders such as Matheus Nicolau, David Dvořák, and Horiguchi.