Two of the UFC’s top five flyweights will meet in the spotlight on Saturday, as UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi tops the bill in Las Vegas. The six-fight main card begins at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with the promotion returning to the familiar setting of the UFC Apex after its historic Sunday appearance at the White House.
The main event features a compelling rematch between No. 2-ranked Manel Kape and No. 5 Kyoji Horiguchi. The two first met in 2017, when Horiguchi came away with the win. This time, however, oddsmakers have installed Kape as the favorite at -162, while Horiguchi enters at +136 for bettors looking for underdog value.
Also featured on the card is a light heavyweight matchup between Ion Cutelaba and Navajo Stirling. Stirling, who remains unbeaten, is listed as a -325 favorite, while Cutelaba is a +260 underdog.
Before making any UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi wagers, bettors may want to review the latest analysis and projections from SportsLine expert Kyle Marley.
SportsLine points to Marley’s long-term track record as a reason for confidence. Over the last three-plus years, followers wagering $100 per pick are reportedly up nearly $10,000. Since May 2018, that total return has climbed to more than $21,000. Marley has also built a reputation for consistency, including a run in 2020 when he correctly picked five straight main-event underdog winners after the UFC resumed events following its pandemic pause.
After breaking down the Kape vs. Horiguchi matchup from every angle, Marley has released his top betting picks and best bets for the event, which are available now on SportsLine.
Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi preview
Kape, 32, fights out of Thailand and has a 22-7-0 career record. He got his start in 2012 in the flyweight division and moved up to bantamweight from 2014-19 before returning to flyweight. He made his UFC debut in 2021, and while he lost his first two bouts with the promotion, he’s since won seven of his last eight fights, the last three all coming via knockout.
The Angolan-Portuguese fighter is one of the most accomplished in the UFC Flyweight Division. He’s tied for the most knockouts (five) in the division while being tied for the third-most knockdowns as a UFC flyweight (seven). In addition to being three years younger than his UFC Fight Night opponent, Kape also has a 1-inch leg reach advantage over Horiguchi. Check out SportsLine to see Marley’s picks and analysis.
Horiguchi, 35, fights out of Florida and has a karate background, earning a black belt in Shotokan. He has a 36-5-0 MMA record and has been fighting professionally since 2010, with an initial UFC run from 2013-16. He then moved to Rizin FF, where he first met Kape in the cage in Dec. 2017. Horiguchi prevailed via submission, which came in the midst of a 13-fight win streak.
After winning championships in both Rizin and Bellator, Horiguchi returned to UFC last year. He’s won both bouts with the promotion since and hasn’t lost a fight in over four years. Over his career, Horiguchi has notched 15 wins both via knockout and via decision, while making his opponent submit six times. You can only see Marley’s picks and analysis at SportsLine.
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UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi predictions
One of of Marley’s UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi picks: He is backing Allan Nascimento (-198) to defeat Mitch Raposo in a flyweight bout on the preliminary card. Nascimento enters in with momentum, winning his last four fights, while Raposo has tasted defeat in two of his last three bouts. The former also has a significant size advantage, standing three inches taller, having a 5-inch reach edge, and having a 1.5-inch advantage in leg reach.
“I like Nascimento here. Raposo can be a decent wrestler but Nascimento is much more skilled and dangerous on the mat,” Marley told SportsLine. “I also like Nascimento to have higher volume striking. Give me Nascimento by sub or decision.” See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi picks
Marley also has strong picks for Kape vs. Horiguchi and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He’s also backing multiple underdogs on the main card, including one who “can win minutes on the feet” to emerge with a big victory. He’s sharing who it is only at SportsLine.
Who wins Kape vs. Horiguchi, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since May 2018, and find out.
UFC Fight Night main fight card, odds
See picks at SportsLine.
(Odds from DraftKings and subject to change)
Manel Kape (-162) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (+136)
Ion Cuțelaba (+260) vs. Navajo Stirling (-325)
Andre Fili (+230) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (-285)
Hyder Amil (+154) vs. Christian Rodriguez (-185)
André Lima (-600) vs. Kevin Borjas (+440)
Melsik Baghdasaryan (+250) vs. Murtazali Magomedov (-310)
