The 32-year-old contender extended his impressive run on Saturday night, stopping Kyoji Horiguchi in the third round of their main event clash at a UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas. The victory marked Kape’s fourth consecutive knockout and further strengthened his argument for a championship opportunity.
1. Kape avenges a longtime defeat
The victory carried extra significance for Kape because it erased a painful chapter from earlier in his career.
The two fighters previously met in 2017 under the RIZIN banner, where Horiguchi defeated Kape by submission in a bantamweight matchup. Nearly a decade later, Kape finally got his revenge on one of the most respected fighters he has ever faced.
Rather than celebrating with trash talk, Kape praised his opponent after the fight and credited Horiguchi for helping shape his development as a mixed martial artist.
The emotional win represented both personal redemption and professional validation for a fighter who has endured several setbacks throughout his UFC journey.
2. One punch changed everything
For much of the contest, Horiguchi appeared capable of pulling off a major victory.
The former title challenger enjoyed success in the opening rounds and even managed to hurt him during the second frame. His speed and movement created problems, keeping the fight competitive heading into the third round.
Everything changed when he landed a powerful right hand in the center of the cage.
- The right hand visibly rocked Horiguchi.
- Kape immediately followed with an uppercut.
- The referee stepped in to stop the contest at the 2:42 mark of Round 3.
Although Horiguchi questioned the stoppage, the decisive sequence left little doubt about who had seized control of the fight.
3. Kape overcomes a difficult UFC path
Kape’s rise to contender status has not been straightforward.
When he arrived in the UFC in 2021, expectations were high. However, he dropped his first two promotional appearances and struggled to build momentum due to canceled fights and other setbacks.
Since then, he has steadily rebuilt his reputation.
- He has won eight of his first 10 UFC fights.
- He has developed into one of the division’s most explosive finishers.
- He now owns a four-fight knockout streak.
Those accomplishments have transformed him from a highly touted prospect into one of the most feared competitors in the flyweight division.
4. A title shot could be next
The biggest question now centers on what comes next.
Many observers believe he has done enough to earn a shot at UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van. The champion captured the title in December after defeating former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a fight that ended after Pantoja suffered a serious elbow injury.
However, a potential obstacle remains.
Both Van and Pantoja have expressed interest in running back their championship bout, meaning the UFC could choose to book a rematch before turning its attention to Kape.
Kape’s championship moment may be approaching
Few fighters in the flyweight division have built more momentum than Kape over the past year. His combination of speed, power and finishing ability has made him one of the most dangerous athletes at 125 pounds.
After avenging a career-defining loss and recording a fourth straight knockout, Kape has placed himself firmly in the championship conversation.
Whether the UFC grants him an immediate title opportunity or opts for a different path, his latest performance made one thing clear: Kape is no longer simply chasing contenders. He is chasing gold.
