Kyoji Horiguchi speaks out following UFC Vegas 119 loss to Manel Kape: “I’m truly sorry”

Kyoji Horiguchi is experiencing a low point following his loss to Manel Kape, but he still intends to become a UFC champion one day.

Horiguchi and Kape shared the Octagon this past Saturday in the UFC Vegas 119 headliner. The two weren’t strangers to one another going into the bout, as they had competed against each other back in 2017. While Horiguchi scored the submission in their first encounter, Kape got revenge in part two with a TKO finish inside the Meta Apex.

Horiguchi was apologetic in a post on X following the defeat, but his spirit isn’t broken.

“Thank you all for your support,” Horiguchi wrote. “I got spectacularly knocked out. I’m truly sorry. Kape was strong. Thank you! This is why I can’t quit martial arts. I’ll retrain and be back in no time! I’m not giving up on my dream yet.”

Horiguchi also released a video statement on his YouTube channel. He plans to keep pushing forward after his winning streak was snapped.

“Well, I feel a bit down, but I guess I just accept that I lost,” Horiguchi said. “But what do you say? I guess it’s time for the next one. … I’ll be making a comeback, so please keep an eye out.”

Prior to UFC Vegas 119, Horiguchi had gone 7-0, 1 NC in his last eight outings. This was the “Karate Kid’s” first loss since April 2022. A win over Kape might have been enough to secure a UFC flyweight title shot against Joshua Van, but Horiguchi will need to go back to the drawing board.

As for Kape, he thinks he has now secured a shot at the UFC Flyweight Championship. “Starboy” admitted to reporters that he would like to rest a bit before making his next fight official.

Where does Kyoji Horiguchi go from here? Who would you match him up against next? Play matchmaker in the comments below.