Manel Kape News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 19, 2026

One fighter on the UFC Vegas 119 card failed to make his contracted weight on Friday, but there is good news. Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi avoided weigh-in mishaps prior to Saturday’s card. That’s music to the ears of fight fans given that the two will be headlining UFC Vegas 119, which will be held at the Meta Apex. In fact, all competitors scheduled for the main card were able to clock in at the weights they agreed upon.

Cole Shelton - June 18, 2026

Manel Kape is looking to get some revenge on Saturday. Kape is set to headline UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday at the Apex against Kyoji Horiguchi. The two fought back in 2017 in RIZIN, and it was Horiguchi who won by submission.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2026

Kyoji Horiguchi plans to make a statement at UFC Vegas 119. Horiguchi is set to rematch Manel Kape on Saturday in a pivotal fight at flyweight. It also serves as a rematch of their fight back in 2017 in RIZIN, which Horiguchi won by submission.

Dylan Bowker - June 10, 2026

Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi are running it back for a sequel clash later this month, with a fighter who has established history with the latter commenting on that contest. The referenced fighter is Hiromasa Ougikubo, who holds Rizin Fighting Federation gold and is a consistent training partner of the UFC’s most recent flyweight title challenger, Tatsuro Taira. Hiromasa Ougikubo defends his RFF flyweight crown in his own rematch against Makoto Shinryu at Rizin Landmark 14 on June 6th. Ougikubo is a former opponent of Kyoji Horiguchi’s multiple times over, and with the context of Taira attempting to become Japan’s first UFC champion, Horiguchi is also vying for that placement in history by bringing the UFC strap to the land of the rising sun.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 26, 2026

Manel Kape is intrigued by the flyweight title bout between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, and he believes the champion will retain. The UFC 327 co-headliner will feature Van vs. Taira inside Kaseya Center in Miami on April 11. Kape was hoping to have his name called for the title fight, but he’ll instead have a rematch with his Rizin rival Kyoji Horiguchi on June 20.

Harry Kettle - March 26, 2026

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has claimed that Manel Kape lied about their UFC title fight falling through. Right now, Joshua Van is on top of the world. He is the king of the flyweight division, and he is gearing up to defend the belt for the first time when he collides with Tatsuro Taira in his next outing. Of course, many felt as if Manel Kape would be the one who got the call, but it didn’t quite come to fruition.

Curtis Calhoun - March 24, 2026

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape will have to get revenge against a former RIZIN foe before earning a potential title shot. The UFC flyweight title picture is becoming clearer as newly-minted titleholder Joshua Van prepares to face Tatsuro Taira in his first defense at UFC 327 next month. Van won the belt after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an injury just minutes into their fight at UFC 323 in December.

Harry Kettle - February 23, 2026

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van is surprised to be fighting Tatsuro Taira as opposed to Manel Kape at UFC 327. As has now been confirmed, Joshua Van will defend his UFC flyweight championship at UFC 327 against Tatsuro Taira. Taira was one of a handful of fighters thought to be in the mix for this bout, including Alexandre Pantoja depending on his recovery, and perhaps the clearest contender Manel Kape.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2025

Reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van has received another harsh warning from the man who could be his first challenger. Van captured the 125-pound gold due to unfortunate circumstances. His first world title opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja ended in just 26 seconds. Pantoja suffered a horrific arm injury and he could not continue.

Cole Shelton - December 15, 2025

The UFC held its final card of 2025 on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. In the main event, a pivotal flyweight bout went down as Manel Kape took on Brandon Royval in a potential No. 1 contender fight. Entering the bout, Kape was riding a two-fight winning streak and was coming off a TKO win over Asu Almabayev. Royval, meanwhile, was coming off a decision loss to Joshua Van back in June.

Harry Kettle - December 15, 2025

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has responded to Manel Kape’s title ambitions after UFC Vegas 112 last weekend. On Saturday night, Manel Kape made a real statement. He was able to quickly finish Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 112, and in the process, he vaulted himself into contention for a world championship opportunity. Soon after, he officially called out Joshua Van and made it clear that he is coming for the title.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Manel Kape had some words for Joshua Van following his emphatic UFC Vegas 112 victory. Kape and Brandon Royval entered the UFC Apex this past Saturday in hopes of moving one step closer to a flyweight title opportunity. Kape ended up being the one who made quite a statement. He scored a first-round knockout win that earned him a “Performance of the Night” bonus.

Chris Taylor - December 13, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Vegas 112 results, including the men’s flyweight main event between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. Royval (17-8 MMA) will enter this evening’s headliner looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to newly crowned flyweight champion Joshua Van in a ‘FOTN’ effort this past June at UFC 317. Prior to that setback, ‘Raw Dawg’ was on a two-fight win streak that saw him score split decision wins over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Moreno.

Chris Taylor - December 13, 2025

The Octagon is back at the Apex for tonight’s UFC Vegas 112 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape. Royval (17-8 MMA) will enter this evening’s headliner looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to newly crowned flyweight champion Joshua Van in a ‘FOTN’ effort this past June at UFC 317. Prior to that setback, ‘Raw Dawg’ was on a two-fight win streak that saw him score split decision wins over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Moreno.

Cole Shelton - December 11, 2025

Manel Kape believes he can style on Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112. Kape is set to headline UFC Vegas 112 on Saturday against Royval in a pivotal fight at flyweight. The winner of the bout could get the next title shot against the new champion Joshua Van.

Harry Kettle - December 11, 2025

UFC flyweight Brandon Royval has spoken about what he plans to do to Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112. As we know, Brandon Royval is one of the most respected flyweights currently residing in the top 15. He has fought some of the very best at 125 pounds, and while he hasn’t been able to get his hands on the gold up to this point, you just know that you’re going to be in for a treat whenever you see him compete.

Harry Kettle - March 5, 2025

UFC flyweight Asu Almabayev has shared a graphic image of the eye injury he suffered during his defeat to Manel Kape. Last Saturday night, Asu Almabayev went head to head with Manel Kape. He was riding a long win streak heading into their contest and many felt as if he’d be capable of causing Kape some real problems. In the end, though, he was beaten, with Manel making a real statement to the rest of the flyweight division.

Cole Shelton - March 3, 2025

The UFC was at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 1 for UFC Vegas 103. The main event saw Manel Kape take on Asu Almabayev in a pivotal flyweight bout. Kape entered the fight coming off a knockout win over Bruno Silva. Almabayev, meanwhile, was 4-0 in the UFC and was coming off a win over Matheus Nicolau to get his first main event spot.