Manel Kape explains why he passed on waiting for title shot for Kyoji Horiguchi rematch

Manel Kape has chosen immediate action over idle negotiation, turning down the UFC's offer to wait for a title shot and instead accepting a rematch against Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 119.

After rattling off three straight knockout victories, Kape appeared positioned for a flyweight title fight against champion Joshua Van. However, the UFC had already promised the next title shot to Tatsuro Taira, and a minor injury to Van pushed that matchup from April to May, leaving Kape in limbo. Rather than sit idle until year's end, the Angolan fighter demanded another bout to stay sharp and active.

"I don't want to wait," Kape told MMA Fighting. "I'm on good timing, good rhythm." He explained that his philosophy centres on constant competition and staying in fighting shape rather than banking on promises of future title opportunities. UFC officials apologized for the scheduling conflict, acknowledging his case for an earlier title shot, but Kape was unmoved by compensation or backup fighter status.

The rematch with Horiguchi carries historical weight. The two first met in RIZIN in 2017, when Horiguchi submitted Kape in the third round—a time when Kape was largely self-taught, training in Angola with minimal resources and his cousin as his only partner. Since then, Kape has professionalized his camp and sharpened his skills considerably. Despite Horiguchi's legendary coach Mike Brown once inviting Kape to train at American Top Team, Kape declined, knowing a reckoning was inevitable.

Kape frames this not as revenge but as proof of growth. A win over Horiguchi keeps him on the path to that elusive title shot, and Kape is banking on the UFC's word that the opportunity will materialize—even if it requires him to be patient, something he insists he'd rather avoid. For now, staying active and competitive trumps waiting for gold.