Can Manel Kape finally take down his nemesis?

He climbs onto the press conference table, screaming at the entire room with veins popping out of his neck, while Israel Adesanya tries to jump over security to get his hands on him. Manel Kape doesn't just fight: he starts riots. "Starboy" is an electric storm, a mix of raw Angolan violence and Japanese insolence, ready to settle the most personal score of his career.

🥊 Quick Stats

Name: Manel Kape
Record: 19-7-0
Distinguishing feature: Possesses DNA that is clearly superior to the rest of humanity (in his own words) and a visceral hatred for microphones being turned off.

The High-Five Block

Last 5 results:

• ❌ Muhammad Mokaev - Decision (unanimous) | Round 3 (07/27/2024)
• ✅ Felipe dos Santos - Decision (unanimous) | Round 3 (09/09/2023)
• ✅ David Dvořák - Decision (unanimous) | Round 3 (12/17/2022)
• ✅ Zhalgas Zhumagulov - TKO (punches) | Round 1 (12/04/2021)
• ✅ Ode Osbourne - KO (flying knee) | Round 1 (08/07/2021)

The Origin Story

Born in Luanda, Angola, raised in Portugal, and polished in boxing gyms under the watchful eye of his father, a former pro boxer. Kape didn't choose MMA to clean up his act, but to channel an aggression that would make a pitbull look like a lapdog. Before coming to shake up the UFC, the kid cut his teeth in Japan at Rizin. That’s where he became a rockstar, taking heads off in switch-stance with effortless flow. A hybrid, unpredictable style that boxes like a pure pugilist and hits like a Bangkok killer.

From Rizin to the Octagon: The quest for the throne and the vendetta

Arriving at the UFC with the label of the savior of the 125lb division, Kape stumbled out of the gate. Two losses by razor-thin decision where he spent more time eyebrow-feinting than throwing bombs. But when the machine clicks, it’s pure art. Just ask Ode Osbourne, who was put to sleep by a flying knee from another dimension.

Today, "Starboy" isn't just chasing the UFC belt. He's chasing his past. In 2017, Kyoji Horiguchi submitted him at Rizin 8. For seven years, Kape has been stewing over that loss. Horiguchi is the final boss of his Asian chapter, the last hurdle before he can claim the scalp of the UFC champion. For Kape, this fight is about honor, blood, and supremacy.

Useless Trivia

• He stole the show at UFC 293 by hurling insults at Kai Kara-France (who withdrew), sparking a blind rage in Israel Adesanya, who had to be held back by security.
• His lightning-fast footwork comes directly from his childhood spent mimicking his father's fight tapes back in Angola.
• He trains regularly at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) alongside wrestling monsters to shore up his ground game.

The MMX Take

Don't be fooled by his frustrating last outing against Mokaev. Kape is an elite sniper: 52% striking accuracy (insane for the division) and a solid 77% takedown defense. The trap against Horiguchi? The Japanese fighter's ultra-elusive karate style. Horiguchi loves to dart in and out like a shadow. If Kape gets stubborn and hunts for a one-punch KO while staying too passive, he’s going to watch the rounds slip away and lose on the scorecards.

But here's the thing: Horiguchi is 33, with knees worn down by wars, and Kape is in his absolute physical prime. We see Kape weathering the storm for the first two rounds, making adjustments, cutting off the cage, and catching the Japanese fighter's chin with a lethal counter late in the fight. Our pick? Kape by TKO in the 4th round. It's risky, it's tense, but that's exactly why we love this sport.

An electric prodigy who needs to take down his nemesis to open the doors to a world title. Do you think he'll win his next fight? Come place your bets and challenge your buddies on MMX.

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