After a historic event last week at The White House, the UFC will return this week with another intriguing event, that being UFC Fight Night 279.
UFC Fight Night 279 is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 and will be held at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight card consists of 12 fights across the Preliminary and Main Card, which includes a Main Event in the UFC Flyweight division between Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi.
Further, the fights begin at approximately 5:00 PM ET with the Preliminary Card, followed by the Main Card at 8:00 PM ET, and the event will be broadcast on Paramount+.
Our article previews the Main Event between Kape and Horiguchi by providing our two best bets for the fight and the current money line odds.
Kape vs. Horiguchi betting picks and predictions
Kyoji Horiguchi ML (+140)
Our top pick for the UFC Fight Night 279 Main Event targets Kyoji Horiguchi to pull off the upset against Manel Kape.
Horiguchi enters this fight with an MMA record of 36-5 and 9-1 in the UFC. His most recent UFC fight resulted in a win against Amir Albazi by unanimous decision back in February 2026.
Horiguchi has proven to be a balanced fighter, averaging 3.77 significant strikes per minute, with a striking accuracy of 47%.
Further, he absorbs just 2.13 strikes and has a striking defense of 63%. In terms of his grappling, he averages 1.61 takedowns every 15 minutes, has a takedown accuracy of 40%, and a takedown defense of 61%.
Kape has been equally successful in the UFC, entering this fight with an MMA record of 22-7 and 7-3 in the UFC.
He has won his last three UFC fights in a row, including his most recent, a victoryagainst Brandon Royval back in December 2025 by KO/TKO.
Kape has been far less of a balanced fighter, leaning more on his striking, where he averages 5.04 significant strikes per minute. To that point, Kape also absorbs far more strikes, that being 4.08 per minute.
While Kape has been set as the clear favorite to extend his win streak, Horiguchi looks to be the best betting option.
Horiguchi has won five consecutive UFC fights, having not lost in the promotion since 2015. Further, he has never lost by KO/TKO in the UFC, which is one of Kape's biggest strengths.
On top of that, Horiguchi's balanced style should put extra pressure on Kape, especially if he is able to force this fight to the ground.
Therefore, given that Horiguchi has proven to be equally skilful while standing and while on the ground, backing Horiguchi to win is our best bet.
Fight to go the distance - Yes (-115)
To go along with a Horiguchi win, we are also be looking for this fight to go the distance.
Kape has slowly become known as being able to finish most of his fights, especially by KO/TKO.
However, Horiguchi has been equally successful in avoiding losing by finish. In fact, he has seen six of his 10 career UFC fights go the distance, which includes four of his last five UFC fights.
Further, five of Kape's seven career MMA losses have come by decision, which includes all three of his UFC losses.
Therefore, given that a Kape loss looks most likely to come by decision, backing this fight to go the distance is our second best bet.
Kape vs. Horiguchi odds
Manuel Kape | Kyoji Horiguchi | |
Moneyline | -165 | +140 |
By Decision or Technical Decision | +245 | +310 |
By KO, TKO or DQ | -+200 | +800 |
By Submission | +1400 | +625 |
Total Rounds | Over | Under |
1.5 | -425 | +300 |
2.5 | -225 | +172 |
3.5 | -150 | +120 |
4.5 | -115 | -115 |
Fight To Go The Distance | Yes | No |
-105 | -125 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
