UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is poised for a significant revenge match against a former RIZIN rival, a bout that precedes any potential shot at the championship title.
The landscape of the UFC flyweight division is gaining clarity, with new titleholder Joshua Van preparing for his inaugural defense against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 next month. Van secured the championship after Alexandre Pantoja sustained an injury early in their December clash at UFC 323.
Beyond Van, Taira, and Pantoja, several other elite flyweights are actively building strong cases for a title challenge. This group includes the in-form Manel Kape, who most recently secured a decisive victory over former title challenger Brandon Royval at the UFC’s December 2025 finale.
Kape has engaged in verbal exchanges with Van in recent months, hinting at a potential future encounter between the two top flyweights. However, the UFC has scheduled a different path for Kape first, as he prepares to face an old rival from his RIZIN days in a highly anticipated redemption bout.
Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi to Headline UFC Vegas 119
Manel Kape is confirmed to headline UFC Vegas 119 on June 20th, where he will face former Bellator bantamweight champion and UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi. The event is scheduled to take place at the UFC Apex.
Horiguchi returns for his second tenure in the UFC, following successful runs in RIZIN and Bellator between 2017 and 2024. In their initial encounter, Horiguchi submitted Kape during their intense 2017 RIZIN World Grand Prix Finals matchup.
Kape has been on an impressive run within the UFC flyweight division, securing seven wins in his last eight outings. His victories include finishes against notable opponents such as Bruno Silva, Asu Almabayev, and Zhalgas Zhumagulov. His last defeat in the UFC was to Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304.
The main event of UFC Vegas 119 featuring Kape vs. Horiguchi will also include a heavyweight clash between Jhonata Diniz and Jose Luiz. The complete fight card for UFC Vegas 119 is expected to be finalized and announced in the upcoming weeks.