UFC Vegas 119 results: Manel Kape snipes Kyoji Horiguchi for comeback TKO

Manel Kape got revenge on Kyoji Horiguchi in comeback fashion.

A rematch nearly a decade in the making served as the main event of UFC Fight Night 279 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, and like their first meeting, ended in the third round. Kape (23-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and Horiguchi (36-6 MMA, 9-2 UFC) showed why they are both among the top fighters in the division with a potential shot at the flyweight title on the line. Although he had to navigate a tough path, Kape found a way to finish Horiguchi at 2:42 of Round 3 with strikes to pull off a great come-from-behind win.

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The speed from Horiguchi was on display early with quick kicks to the body as he darted in and out in the first round. Kape patiently controlled the center of the cage and landed sharp counters when he saw openings. Horiguchi secured a late takedown, but couldn’t do much with it. The opening frame largely felt like a feel-out round, as both were calculated with each moment.

Horiguchi kept things in his favor early in Round 2 by stinging Kape with a big shot and then securing a takedown. Kape regained full guard and landed a few elbows from bottom, but took his share of ground and pound in return, and couldn’t get off his back for the majority of Round 2.

Kape tried to swing the momentum early in Round 3 by creating chaotic striking exchanges, but Horiguchi was able to connect with the cleaner strikes. After resetting, Kape took a breather and then sniped Horiguchi with a clean right counter, putting him on wobbly legs. Horiguchi stumbled forward, and Kape pushed him to the mat while unloading punches from the back until referee Herb Dean saw enough. Horiguchi protested the stoppage, but the decision was already made.