This is the live blog for Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi 2, the flyweight main event for UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday at the UFC Meta APEX.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC’s flyweight rankings, Kape has an opportunity to solidify a title shot and avenge a loss on Saturday when he faces Horiguchi. Kape and Horiguchi first fought in 2017 in the RIZIN bantamweight grand prix that Horiguchi went on to win, after he submitted Kape with an arm-triangle choke in the third round. Kape rebounded with plenty of success in RIZIN, but really came into his own after moving to the UFC, where he’s currently on a three-fight winning streak, and right on the cusp of fighting for the flyweight title.
A former UFC flyweight title challenger, Horiguchi left the UFC in 2017 while riding a three-fight winning streak. He spent the next eight years racking up accomplishments and titles in RIZIN and Bellator, before returning to the UFC last year, where he’s quickly put together back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. If he can beat Kape a second time, Horiguchi’s next fight will likely be for the belt.
Check out the live blog for Kape vs. Horiguchi 2 below.
Alrighty, this has been a card. It’s moved pretty quickly on the main card, and now we’re here to the main event, which rocks. Can’t wait for this one.
Horiguchi is out draped in the Japanese flag and he looks very calm and ready for this one.
Kape is out in his double-flag. He looks very confident.
Kape is 1 inch taller, has a 5 inch reach advantage, and is a few years younger than Horiguchi. He’s also the favorite at -150, with Horiguchi at +125.
Joe Martinez gets things going and both men look ready to do battle.
Herb Dean is the referee for this one. Let’s party.
Horiguchi out in orthodox, Kape in southpaw. Kape holds the center early, Horiguchi bounces around the outside and comes in with a clean body kick that lands early. Kape tries to grab him but Horiguchi bounds away.
Kape is very reserved early, feinting, few calf kicks, and waiting. Horiguchi is bouncing on the edges, looking for an entry. After the early body kick, it’s mostly been a feeling out process through the first 90 seconds.
Another body kick from Horiguchi and he’s so fast. Kape has yet to commit to a big strike and Horiguchi does, landing a beautiful dipping right hand as he came in. Kape stood his ground and fired back and a hook inside got Horiguchi moving backward. Horiguchi launches in again but misses this time.
Kape seems to have a power advantage, Horiguchi the speed. But Kape’s length is giving Horiguchi some trouble early as he has to cover a lot of ground. Still, very slow-paced. Kape tries to come in on Horiguchi but he slips away. And then Horiguchi lands a very nasty inside low kick that takes Kape’s feet out from under him.
Kape tries to punch his way in again and Horiguchi ducks under for a double-leg, but Kape defends well. Same exact sequence happens a moment later. Another very big body kick from Horiguchi lands again. He’s digging into that open side of the southpaw with that. Then Kape comes in on him and Horiguchi ducks under again, and this time he immediately turns the corner to get the takedown. Kape tries to roll but Horiguchi rolls with him and ends the round on top.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi.
Horiguchi’s corner tells him the body kicks are too dangerous and he needs to stop. But that was his best weapon. We’ll see how that plays out.
And Horiguchi lands one early in this round, and then feints a takedown, that gets such a big reaction from Kape he goes to the floor.
OH! Horiguchi went with a head kick that almost got through, and the a left hand that buzzed Kape! He’s backing up for the first time in the fight. And then Horiguchi hits a knee tap and moves right into top half guard! Kyoji is DEALING tonight.
Horiguchi not able to get too much offense off here, but some chipping shots and he’s smothering Kape for now. Kape is able to reclaim full guard, and throws some elbows off the bottom. Horiguchi looking to posture up and strike, but then Kape grabs him back down. A few big shots from Horiguchi on top, but Kape keeps landing those short elbows. Not major damage, but annoying, for sure.
Horiguchi can’t get enough leverage to really do damage, so they’re just kinda walking around the cage like this. Horiguchi finally postures and lands a big elbow from the top and then passes to top half. Now he’s chipping in with punches that Kape grabs to defend. Very good round for Horiguchi as he lands some big punches, opening up the strikes before standing just before the final horn.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi, 20-18 Horiguchi overall.
Kape doesn’t need to panic, but he needs to change things up. And he comes out with much more aggression here, but Horiguchi immediately ducks under for a takedown. Kape defends and punchess away but can’t land a big shot.
OHHHHH!!! Kape came in with his hands down and Horiguchi BANGED him with a clean right hand that put a jolt in him. Kape immediately backed up and ate another one. Credit to Kape who is putting on a brave face, but he got cracked there and he’s not punching at all now, just moving away. Horiguchi is not pressing the issue, but perhaps he should be. Kape is waiting, and he’s always a threat, but I’m not sure he’s clear-headed.
Finally Kape starts to advance again, and I’m assuming he’s shaken the clouds away. But Horiguchi checks a low kick and Kape fell down off that. Might have hurt his leg there. He gets up but walking a bit funky now. Horiguchi flying right now.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! KAPE CRACKED HIM! Horiguchi came forward and Kape caught him clean with a right hand inside and Horiguchi is in a world of trouble! Horiguchi tries to walk it off but his legs are gone and he crashes down! Kape is all over him! Horiguchi in turtle, trying to defend but Kape over the back and punching away!
BOOM! Big uppercut sends Horiguchi back to the mat and Herb Dean calls it!!!!!! Out of nowhere for Kape!
Horiguchi gets up quickly but that was a completely fine stoppage.
Manel Kape def. Kyoji Horiguchi via TKO (punches) — 2:42, Round 3
Kape does a celebration after the official decision is announced and then speaks to Daniel Cormier.
“Kyoji is an amazing fighter, I think the best fighter I’ve ever faced in my life.”
Kape puts Horiguchi over, and gives him a lot of love, both for their first fight and this one. He says he knew Horiguchi would have success, but he knew that if he could land once, the fight would be over. He also says he’s unpredictable, before then shouting out the UFC and saying he spoiled their plans to go to Japan, but says they can take him.
Kape ends by saying he doesn’t know what the UFC plans about the title, but seems to be OK with whatever happens.
Read the full article here
