Almost a decade in the making, Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi will meet for the first time inside the UFC Octagon in Las Vegas.

The two fought each other in 2017 as part of the RIZIN promotion, when the Japanese fighter won by submission. 

Both have come a long way since then, but this Sunday, June 21 (from 07:00 AEST), the two will see who has come further as they headline UFC Fight Night…

Quick Picks

Our pick: Horiguchi to win

Value bet: Horiguchi by submission

Long shot: Horiguchi to win by TKO/KO

Tale of the Tape

Kape is a power-punch, combo-oriented striker who builds off the jab, lead hook and rear cross, then layers in flying knees and heavy kicks when he has your timing. 

Horiguchi’s offense is built around speed, feints and in‑and‑out entries: long jabs, darting right hands, and the classic karate-style step‑in cross or overhand as he cuts angles.

How do the two compare? Kape’s figures are first…

Age - 32 vs 35

Height - 5'5" (165cm) vs 5'4" (163cm)

Stance - Orthodox vs Orthodox

Record - 22-7-0 vs 36-5-0

KO Record - 14 vs 15

Betting Preview

How have they performed in their last five fights?

Kape's last five fights:

- Brandon Royval - Win (TKO, 1) - Dec 2025

- Asu Almabayev - Win (TKO, 3) - Mar 2025

- Bruno Silva - Win (TKO, 3) - Dec 2024

- Muhammad Mokaev - Loss (UD, 3) - Jul 2024

- Felipe dos Santos - Win (UD, 3) - Sep 2023

Horiguchi’s last five fights:

- Amir Albazi - Win (UD, 3) - Feb 2026

- Tagir Ulanbekov - Win (Sub, 3) - Nov 2025

- Nkazimulo Zulu - Win (UD, 3) - Dec 2024

- Sergio Pettis - Win (UD, 3) - Jun 2024

- Makoto Takahashi - Win (Sub, 2) - Dec 2023

Betting Markets to Watch

Kape has been made a moderate favourite to win this bout, but we think there’s better value in the perceived underdog.

Horiguchi has won nine of his 10 previous UFC fights and has already defeated the Portuguese fighter once in his career (albeit almost 10 years ago).

We think this fight will be won by stoppage , with Horiguchi to win by submission offering good value to explore.

Horiguchi has won six fights by this method, while Kape has lost twice by it (though never in the UFC).

Our Prediction

Check the latest Kape vs Horiguchi betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our prediction is for Horiguchi to be the likely winner , with a win by submission offering good value.

If you’re looking for more of a long shot in this encounter, we think the Horiguchi to win by TKO/KO offers significant value. He is capable of securing one, while five of Kape's last six UFC fights in the USA have ended by KO/TKO.