A flyweight rematch between former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape and former UFC flyweight championship challenger Kyoji Horiguchi headlined Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 279 fight card at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Kape made the walk to the octagon riding a three-fight winning streak and ranked No. 2 in the division. Horiguchi carried with him a seven-fight winning streak to the octagon and was ranked No. 5 in the weight class. On the line was a likely a title shot against champion Joshua Van.
The two first fought in the Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round. Horiguchi defeated Kape via arm-triangle choke, but that was nearly a decade ago.
The two touched gloves and Horiguchi landed first with an outside leg kick. He went to the body with one that was partially caught. Kape responded with a leg kick. They felt each other ut for minute. Horiguchi went to the body with a kick and landed a right hand. Kape connected with a counter right. They traded left hands at the midway mark. Horiguchi delivered a hard leg kick. Kape moved in with a left. Horiguchi looked to get the fight to the ground but Kape defended the attempt. Kape switched back and forth with stances. Horiguchi connected to the body with a kick. Horiguchi changed levels and Kape moved forward and put Kape on the ground. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Horiguchi.
They were measured to start the second frame. Horiguchi stepped in with a teep kick. Kape responded with a leg kick. Horiguchi landed a left hand that got Kape’s attention. Horiguchi caught a leg kick and took Kape down 90 seconds into the round. He worked for the half guard position. Horiguchi delivered short punches but Kape did a good job of controlling Horiguchi’s arms. He delivered elbows from the bottom. Kape re-established his guard. Horiguchi postured up and connected with a right hand. He landed a couple of big left hands in the closing seconds. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Horiguchi.
Horiguchi pressed forward with a right hand. Kape responded and they exchanged. Horiguchi found a home with a right hook. Kape threw a leg kick and Horiguchi checked it. Kape looked in pain. Kape connected with a right hand that hurt Horiguchi. Kape kept the pressure on and delivered left hands until Horiguchi went limp and the referee stepped in.
The official time of the TKO stoppage was 2:42 of the third round. Kape avenged the previous loss and likely earned a title shot.
