Kyoji Horiguchi apologizes after UFC Vegas 119 knockout loss
Kyoji Horiguchi has apologized to fans following his third-round knockout loss to Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 119.
The fifth-ranked flyweight posted a statement on social media Sunday after Kape stopped him 2:42 into the final round at the UFC Apex on Saturday night. "Thank you all for your support. I got knocked out pretty badly. I'm truly sorry," Horiguchi wrote, per MMA Mania. "Kape was strong. Thank you! This is why I can't quit martial arts. I'll retrain and be back in no time! I'm not giving up on my dream yet."
Horiguchi's title hopes take a hit
The loss snapped a seven-fight win streak for Horiguchi and marked his first defeat since returning to the UFC. As Sherdog reported, he was ahead on the scorecards entering the third round before Kape landed a right hook that dropped him to all fours, then snuck a fight-ending uppercut underneath the armpit. Kape avenged a 2017 submission loss to Horiguchi with the finish.
Horiguchi's record now stands at 36-7. Before Saturday, he had been angling for a title shot against teammate Alexandre Pantoja, assuming Pantoja reclaims the belt later this year. That plan is on hold. A matchup with fellow Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira looks like the logical next step for the former Rizin and Bellator champion.
UFC Vegas 120 takes place July 5 at the Apex.
Photo: Bruno Massami / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Original reporting:
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