Will Kyoji Horiguchi shut the lights out on Manel Kape?

Imagine a Shinkansen bullet train barreling through a subway tunnel. That’s exactly the vibe Kyoji Horiguchi brings when he unleashes his karate blitz. At 33, the Gunma samurai is back in the octagon to settle a six-year-old score with Manel Kape and prove that the real king of the 125-pounders has always been Japanese.

🥊 Quick Stats

Name: Kyoji Horiguchi
Record: 32-5-0 (1 NC)
Claim to fame: Held the RIZIN and Bellator world titles at the same time.

The High-Five Block

Last 5 results:

• ✅ Makoto Shinryu - Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 (3:45)
• ➖ Makoto Shinryu - No Contest (Eye Poke) R1 (0:25)
• ✅ Hiromasa Ougikubo - Unanimous Decision R3 (5:00)
• ✅ Yuto Hokamura - Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R2 (2:59)
• ❌ Patchy Mix - Unanimous Decision R5 (5:00)

The Origin Story

Horiguchi didn't spend his youth grinding on American collegiate wrestling mats. His foundation is Shotokan karate, which he started at age 5 under a father who didn't mess around when it came to discipline. Trained by master Tsuyoshi Nihei, he developed that signature low, side-on stance—almost baiting his opponents—and that elusive footwork. It was the legendary "Kid" Yamamoto who spotted the phenom at the Krazy Bee gym and gave him the best advice of his life: move to Florida and join American Top Team. That’s where the traditional karateka evolved into a wrestling-striking transition monster.

The blitz that conquered two worlds

His first UFC run (2013-2016) was a breeze: 7 wins and only one loss, against the GOAT Demetrious Johnson. But frustrated by a lack of recognition, Kyoji walked away at his peak while on a three-fight win streak. Why? To become the king of the free world. He returned to Japan, cleared out the RIZIN competition, snatched the Bellator belt across the pond, and pulled off the unthinkable: holding both world titles simultaneously thanks to a historic co-promotion deal. Horiguchi is the final boss the UFC let slip away, and he’s back to collect what’s his.

Useless Trivia

• One second from glory: During his title fight against Demetrious Johnson, he tapped to an armbar with 4 minutes and 59 seconds gone in the 5th round. It’s the latest submission in UFC history. Brutal.
• No fish, no fight: When he’s not throwing hands, Kyoji is a pro fisherman. He has his own YouTube fishing channel and claims that tracking fish gives him the patience he needs to stay composed in the cage.
• Spiritual successor: He always fights with his mentor "Kid" Yamamoto in mind, who passed away in 2018, carrying his martial arts legacy with him every time he walks out.

The MMX Take

This fight against Manel Kape is heavy artillery. Back in 2017, Kyoji won by submission in the third round after a war. But since then, "Starboy" Kape has become a counter-striking monster in the UFC. The key stat that gives us confidence? Horiguchi absorbs only 2.10 strikes per minute. His zone defense is elite. The trap? His chin has shown some wear and tear over the years (the KOs against Asakura and Pettis left a mark). If he charges in head-first with straight-line blitzes, Kape will be waiting with a short hook or a flying knee.

The key to locking in your pick on La Ligue? Transition wrestling. Horiguchi needs to use his ATT pedigree to mix up the ranges, chop down Kape’s base with his devastating calf kicks, and score crucial takedowns late in the rounds. If he plays the experience card without hunting for a highlight-reel KO, Kyoji is an incredibly solid pick. Unanimous decision win for the Japanese star.

A modern samurai who has nothing left to prove, but everything to gain. Do you think he’ll win his next fight? Come make your picks and challenge your buddies on MMX.

📋 On the same card: Check out all the profiles for UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi