UFC Fight Night Preview: Kape and Horiguchi Set for Highly Anticipated Flyweight Rematch in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is poised for another thrilling event as UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi takes center stage this Saturday, June 20, 2026. The main card, featuring six compelling bouts, is scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. ET, streaming exclusively on Paramount+. The promotion returns to its familiar grounds at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, following a notable visit to the White House earlier in the week, marking a swift return to competitive action.

The headline bout of the evening pits two of the flyweight division’s most skilled competitors against each other: second-ranked Manel Kape and fifth-ranked Kyoji Horiguchi. This main event is a highly anticipated rematch, stemming from their initial encounter in 2017, where Horiguchi emerged victorious via submission. Despite the historical outcome, current UFC odds position Manel Kape as the favorite at -148, while Kyoji Horiguchi is listed at +124. The over/under for total rounds in this five-round contest is set at 4.5, with the "Over" favored at -125, suggesting expectations for a prolonged and tactical battle.

Beyond the main event, the card features several intriguing matchups, including a light heavyweight clash between the hard-hitting Ion Cutelaba and the undefeated Navajo Stirling. Stirling enters the octagon as a significant favorite at -325, with Cutelaba priced as the underdog at +260. Before placing any wagers or finalizing predictions for UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi, bettors and fans are advised to consult the comprehensive predictions and betting analysis provided by SportsLine expert Kyle Marley.

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SportsLine’s Kyle Marley has established himself as a prominent and consistently successful voice in MMA analysis. Over the past three and a half years, individuals who have followed Marley’s expert picks on a $100 per-bet basis have seen cumulative returns approaching $10,000. Since May 2018, his astute predictions have generated well over $21,000 in profits for SportsLine members. Marley’s track record includes a remarkable streak in 2020, where he successfully predicted five consecutive main-event underdog winners following the UFC’s brief hiatus due to the global pandemic. His consistent ability to identify value and predict outcomes has made his UFC betting picks a valuable resource for many.

Marley has meticulously analyzed the Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi main event from multiple angles, in addition to scrutinizing the entire fight card. His detailed betting picks and best bets are now available on SportsLine for subscribers.

Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi: A Deeper Look

Manel Kape, 32, representing Thailand, brings a professional mixed martial arts record of 22-7-0 into Saturday’s main event. Kape initiated his professional career in 2012 within the flyweight division. He later transitioned to bantamweight from 2014 to 2019 before making a decisive return to flyweight. His UFC tenure began in 2021, where he experienced initial setbacks, losing his first two bouts under the promotion’s banner. However, Kape has since demonstrated significant improvement and momentum, securing seven victories in his last eight fights, with his most recent three wins all coming by way of knockout.

Known for his aggressive and powerful striking, the Angolan-Portuguese fighter is recognized as one of the most dynamic competitors in the UFC Flyweight Division. His statistics reflect his striking prowess, as he is currently tied for the most knockouts in the division with five, and also tied for the third-most knockdowns as a UFC flyweight, with seven. Beyond his impressive power, Kape holds a physical advantage over his opponent, being three years younger than Horiguchi and possessing a one-inch leg reach advantage. These factors could play a crucial role in the strategic dynamics of the rematch.

Kyoji Horiguchi, 35, fighting out of Florida, boasts an extensive and decorated MMA record of 36-5-0. Horiguchi’s martial arts foundation is rooted in karate, where he holds a black belt in Shotokan. His professional fighting career commenced in 2010, and he had an initial successful run in the UFC from 2013 to 2016. Following this period, Horiguchi transitioned to Rizin FF, a prominent Japanese promotion, where he first encountered Manel Kape in December 2017. In that initial contest, Horiguchi showcased his grappling expertise, securing a submission victory over Kape. This win occurred amidst an impressive 13-fight win streak, solidifying his status as a top-tier fighter.

Horiguchi’s career highlights include capturing championships in both Rizin FF and Bellator, demonstrating his ability to compete and dominate across different global promotions. He made his return to the UFC last year and has since maintained his winning ways, securing victories in both of his bouts since rejoining the promotion. Remarkably, Horiguchi has not suffered a loss in over four years, underscoring his consistency and elite performance level. Throughout his career, Horiguchi has displayed a well-rounded skillset, accumulating 15 wins by knockout, 15 wins by decision, and six victories via submission. His versatile approach and extensive experience present a formidable challenge for Kape.

Marley’s Insights and Other Key Matchups

Among Kyle Marley’s disclosed picks for UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi, he is backing Allan Nascimento (-162) to secure a victory over Mitch Raposo in a preliminary card flyweight bout. Nascimento enters the contest with considerable momentum, having won his last four fights, while Raposo has experienced defeat in two of his last three outings. Marley also notes Nascimento’s significant physical advantages, including standing three inches taller, possessing a five-inch reach advantage, and a 1.5-inch lead in leg reach.

Elaborating on his reasoning for the Nascimento pick, Marley stated, "I like Nascimento here. Raposo can be a decent wrestler but Nascimento is much more skilled and dangerous on the mat. I also like Nascimento to have higher volume striking. Give me Nascimento by sub or decision." This assessment highlights Nascimento’s superior grappling and striking output as key factors in his projected victory.

Marley’s analysis extends across the entire UFC Fight Night card, including his definitive predictions for the Kape vs. Horiguchi main event. Furthermore, he has identified multiple underdogs on the main card who he believes are poised for upset victories, including one fighter who, according to Marley, "can win minutes on the feet" to clinch a significant triumph. These exclusive picks and detailed analysis are available solely to SportsLine subscribers. For those new to sports trading, a review of the Kalshi promo code offers is also available to explore their latest incentives.

The UFC Fight Night main card features additional compelling matchups and their current odds (subject to change from DraftKings):

  • Manel Kape (-148) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (+124)
  • Ion Cutelaba (+260) vs. Navajo Stirling (-325)
  • Andre Fili (+235) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (-290)
  • Hyder Amil (+170) vs. Christian Rodriguez (-205)
  • Melsik Baghdasaryan (+270) vs. Murtazali Magomedov (-340)

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential outcomes for Kape vs. Horiguchi, including specific predictions on how the fight will conclude, individuals are encouraged to visit SportsLine. There, they can access detailed picks and in-depth analysis from Kyle Marley, the expert whose UFC predictions have yielded over $21,000 in profits since May 2018.

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