Manel Kape is set to return to the Octagon in another huge flyweight matchup.
It was announced last month that Joshua Van will defend his belt against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 in Miami.
This was expected to be made after Kape said the UFC promised Taira the next title shot despite him also being in the mix at 125 pounds.
He had already begun cutting weight for a potential clash with Van due to what he expected to be a short notice bout, but that hasn’t stopped ‘StarBoy’ from choosing to sit on his ranking.
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Manel Kape vs Kyoji Horiguchi 2 booked for June 30 at the Apex
On Tuesday, MMA Junkie reported that they were able to confirm that Manel Kape will be facing Kyoji Horiguchi in a main event clash at the Meta Apex on June 20.
‘StarBoy’ had revealed this information in an interview with MMA Junkie before they were able to back this information up with a second source.
Kape stopped Brandon Royval in December to put himself in title contention following a three-fight win streak where he’s finished each opponent.
Japan’s Horiguchi has proven to be one of the most successful UFC signings in some time, returning to the promotion after nine years away and putting together back-to-back wins.
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The two men previously met all the way back in 2017, where Horiguchi submitted Kape in the third round before going on to stop Shintaro Ishiwatari on the same night to win the RIZIN World Grand Prix.
While Alexandre Pantoja’s return from the injury that saw him lose the flyweight belt last December could change things, either Kape or Horiguchi could earn a title shot on June 20.
Manel Kape vs Kyoji Horiguchi is a great matchup that could be even better
Given the success that both men have had fighting in Japan, putting the rematch between Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi at the Meta Apex feels anticlimactic.
It’s still a great main event but the first time they met was at the iconic Saitama Super Arena on a card that also featured the likes of Tenshin Nasukawa and Mirko Cro Cop.
If the rematch were held in Japan again, it would feel much bigger.
It’s still one of the best main events we’re likely to get in 2026, but it also feels like a missed opportunity to do something special.