UFC Vegas 119: Kape vs Horiguchi rematch headlines Fight Night

The UFC returns to the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 20, for UFC Fight Night 279, headlined by a pivotal flyweight rematch between Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi. The bout, nearly nine years in the making, carries significant title implications in the 125-pound division.

Horiguchi, a former RIZIN and Bellator champion, holds a 36-5 professional record and defeated Kape in 2017 under the RIZIN banner. After returning to the UFC in November 2025, he has won two straight fights, including a victory over Amir Albazi, to re-enter title contention. Kape, meanwhile, has won seven of his last eight UFC bouts, with back-to-back knockouts, establishing himself as a top contender.

What's at stake

The winner of this main event is expected to become the next challenger for the UFC flyweight title, currently held by Joshua Van. Van is slated to first rematch former champion Alexandre Pantoja, with the Kape-Horiguchi victor waiting in the wings.

• Event: UFC Fight Night 279 (UFC Vegas 119)
• Date: Saturday, June 20, 2025; prelims at 10 p.m. GMT, main card at 1 a.m. GMT (Sunday)
• Main event: Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (flyweight)
• Co-main: Ion Cutelaba vs. Navajo Sterling (light heavyweight)
• Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass (prelims), TNT Sports and HBO Max (main card) in UK; Paramount+ in US, Australia, and Latin America

Fighter form and history

Horiguchi, 35, has fought for a UFC title before, challenging Demetrious Johnson in 2015 before departing the promotion. He has since built a legendary career in Japan and Bellator. Kape, nicknamed 'Starboy,' rebounded from a rough UFC debut to become a knockout threat, with his only recent loss coming against Muhammad Mokaev in July 2024.

The card also features a featherweight debut bout between Shane Collins and Otari Tanzilovi on the prelims, along with a main-card matchup between Vinicius Oliveira and Andre Fili.

With both fighters on strong runs, Saturday's main event promises to be a decisive step toward a title shot in a competitive flyweight division.