UFC Vegas 119 Pre-Event Facts: Japanese Fighter Boasts Lengthy Professional Record

A much-anticipated flyweight showdown headlines UFC Vegas 119, as former RIZIN champions Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi collide. Previously meeting back in 2017 while both were still under the RIZIN banner, Horiguchi came out on top of his initial clash with Kape by second-round submission.

Wanting nothing more than to erase the failures of the past, “Starboy” is aiming to cement his place as a title-contender while finally getting revenge on the surging “Karate Kid.”

In the co-main, the light heavyweights seize control of the cage, with Moldovan powerhouse Ion Cuțelaba set to lock horns with New Zealand prospect Navajo Stirling. Undefeated at 9-0, Stirling has enjoyed a rapid ascension in the organization, winning his first four bouts in dominant fashion. However, the City Kickboxing representative will have his hands full this weekend, as the veteran Cuțelaba has proven to be a stern test everywhere the fight goes. 
These are the most interesting facts about the main card fighters of UFC Vegas 119:

UFC Vegas 119: Andre Fili vs. Vinicius Oliveira

Andre Fili

Fili trains out of Team Alpha Male, which has produced noteworthy fighters like Song Yadong,Cody Garbrandt, andT.J. Dillashaw. He holds 10 wins by knockout and three by submission.

He possesses notable victories over Dennis Bermudez, Charles Jourdain, and Cub Swanson.

Vinicius Oliveira

18 of Oliveira's 23 wins as a professional have come by way of stoppage, UFC Vegas 119 is  his debut at featherweight; he has fought largely at bantamweight, as well as three at flyweight

He holds three post-fight bonuses, including two Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards

UFC Vegas 119: Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Murtazali Magomedov

Melsik Baghdasaryan

Baghdasrayan's  UFC record stands at 3-2, with notable losses to Joshua Culibao and Jean Silva. He has been a part of the roster since 2020 after earning his contract on the Contender Series.

He is looking for his first victory since July 2023

Murtazali Magomedov

Magomedov holds an undefeated professional record of 10-0. All of his wins have occurred via finish. He is one of only four athletes on the roster who hail from Kyrgyzstan.

He is a former Octagon League 145-lb champion; he defended the strap once before competing on the Contender Series last year

UFC Vegas 119: Hyder Amil vs. Christian Rodriguez

Hyder Amil

Amil is the oldest fighter on the main card at 36 years old. He is coming off two back-to-back defeats, including one by first-round knockout, He holds one Performance of the Night bonus.

Christian Rodriguez

Rodriguez has fought in other notable promotions, such as the LFA and Bellator before signing with the UFC. He has defeated six undefeated fighters over the course of his professional tenure, with four of those coming in the UFC.

He is 2-3 in last five fights at featherweight since moving to the division in 2024.

UFC Vegas 119: Ion Cuțelaba vs. Navajo Stirling

Ion Cuțelaba

Cutelaba has been a part of the UFC since 2016, amassing a 9-10-1 record with the company. 13 of his 20 wins as a professional have come by way of knockout.

He holds one Fight of the Night bonus

Navajo Stirling

Stirling is undefeated at 9-0. He trains out of City Kickboxing, which has brought up champion-level athletes like Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.

His UFC record stands at 4-0, with three of those victories going the distance.

UFC Vegas 119: Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

Manel Kape

Kape is riding a three-bout winning streak, all of which have ended by stoppage due to strikes. He is a previous RIZIN Bantamweight Champion.

He is tied with Joseph Benavidez for most knockouts in UFC flyweight division history with five.

Kyoji Horiguchi

Horiguchi is the most experienced competitor on the entire card at 36-5. He is unbeaten in his last seven contests, three of which ending by submission.

Horiguchi is one of two flyweight fighters from Japan, the other being previous title challenger Tatsuro Taira. He is also a former RIZIN champion, winning belts in both the 125-lb and 135-lb divisions