THE APEX TIMES
Kyoji Horiguchi posts first response after knockout loss to Manel Kape, vows to stay chasing his dream
The Japanese flyweight said he was cruising in the rematch until a late third-round punch flipped the fight, and he responded publicly for the first time after being finished.
Kyoji Horiguchi has released his first public statement following his knockout loss to Manel Kape in a rematch that, according to his own account, had been going smoothly for him before a decisive moment changed everything.
In his post-fight message, Horiguchi described getting off to a strong start in the second meeting with Kape, but said that a punch in the third round caught him and led to him being finished. His reaction was measured, and he paired the disappointment with resolve, writing, “I’m not giving up on my dream yet.”
The fight’s storyline underscores how quickly a high-level UFC contest can swing, even when one competitor appears to be dictating the rhythm early. Rematches tend to compress game plans, with fighters adjusting to what they learned the first time, and that often makes the margin for error smaller. In that context, the third-round shift described by Horiguchi functioned as the hinge of the night.
Horiguchi’s statement also indicates the kind of mindset contenders often need after a setback: separating the immediate result from longer-term goals. The fact that he chose to address his fans and his career direction immediately suggests he wants the focus to stay on his recovery process and next steps rather than letting the loss become the final chapter.
For Kape, the finish elevated the importance of this specific sequence, turning a competitive rematch into a punctuation mark. For Horiguchi, the priority becomes what comes next in a division where opportunities can be shaped by timing, matchmaking, and performance after losses.
What to watch next is whether Horiguchi’s response is accompanied by a clearer path to his next fight. In the meantime, the public tone of his statement implies he intends to keep working toward his broader objectives rather than moving into a waiting period.
Even without additional details beyond his account of the fight’s key moment, the message offers a clear takeaway: the result hurt, the turning point was sudden, and he is framing the setback as a step that does not cancel the larger dream.
Why It Matters
- Horiguchi’s post-fight message helps define how he and his camp intend to respond after a rapid, third-round turning point.
- Rematches in the UFC often sharpen tactical adjustments, and this one highlights how quickly a plan can be disrupted by a single clean strike.
- For the flyweight mix, a finished result can shape momentum and future matchmaking for both competitors.
- How Horiguchi rebuilds after this loss will influence his credibility with future opponents and decision-makers in the division.
Sources
Key Facts
- Kyoji Horiguchi issued his first statement after his knockout loss to Manel Kape in a rematch.
- Horiguchi said he had been cruising and had gotten off to a strong start before a punch in the third round changed the outcome.
- Horiguchi attributed the shift to being caught and finished.
- In his statement, Horiguchi wrote, “I’m not giving up on my dream yet.”
- The report frames the loss as a late fight swing after an encouraging earlier stretch.