New feature: Returning Fighters lists previously top-ranked fighters who had been inactive, but recently fought or have a fight scheduled. Helps to keep an eye on your old favorites!
UFC Fight Night 279 – Kape vs. Horiguchi 2
Jun 20, 2026 | UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States
[#5 FW | #2 UFC] Manel Kape (22-7-0) vs [#3 FW | #5 UFC] Kyoji Horiguchi (36-5-0)
Preview and Prediction
The main event of UFC Fight Night 279 features one of the most intriguing flyweight rematches in recent MMA history as Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi meet nearly nine years after their first encounter.
The two fighters originally faced each other on December 31, 2017, at RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017. On that night, Horiguchi showcased his championship-level versatility by defeating Kape via third-round arm-triangle choke. Since then, both athletes have continued to evolve and establish themselves among the world’s elite flyweights.
Today, the rematch arrives under very different circumstances. Kape enters as one of the UFC’s leading title contenders, while Horiguchi returns to the Octagon carrying the experience of a legendary career that includes championships in both Bellator and RIZIN.
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Thursday, September 10th 2026: Rizin FF - Super Rizin 5 | |||
 [#1 W105] Natalia Kuziutina |  [#17 W105] Rena Kubota | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 4/12/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#9 W105] Ayaka Hamasaki Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 12/31/2025 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#2 W105] Seika Izawa Last 5: W L W W L | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev | |||
 [#7 W125] Liz Carmouche |  [#13 W125] Viviane Araujo | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 8/15/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#15 W125] Jena Bishop Last 5: W L W W W | Last Fight Date: 4/11/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#60 W125] Shanna Young Last 5: W L W L W | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev | |||
| [#6 FW] A.J. McKee |  [#19 FW] Salamat Isbulaev | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 3/20/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#28 FW] Adam Borics Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 2/07/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#23 FW] Jesus Pinedo Last 5: W W W W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#1 LW] | Justin Gaethje | [#2 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | |
| [#1 WW] | Islam Makhachev | [#1 LHW] | Alex Pereira | |
| [#8 HW] | Josh Hokit | [#1 HW] |  Ciryl Gane | |
| [NR] |  Conor McGregor | [#2 MW] |  Khamzat Chimaev | |
| [#2 BW] | Merab Dvalishvili | [#8 LW] | Mauricio Ruffy |
FightMatrix and RFP: One Year of Partnership
On May 16, 2025, FightMatrix and Real Fight Promotion (RFP) officially began a partnership built on a shared commitment to the growth and promotion of mixed martial arts.
Interestingly, both FightMatrix and Real Fight Promotion were founded in 2007. Over nearly two decades, each organization has established a strong reputation within its field. FightMatrix has become one of the sport’s most respected independent rankings and analytical platforms, while RFP has grown into one of Ukraine’s longest-running and most active MMA promotions, organizing more than 100 events.
UFC Freedom 250 Was Bigger Than the Hype, Louder Than the Critics, and Better Than Anyone Could Have Scripted
UFC Freedom 250 arrived surrounded by lawsuits, political arguments, weather concerns, security questions, and weeks of speculation over whether the most ambitious night in UFC history could actually be pulled off. By the time the final fireworks exploded over Washington, D.C., all of that noise felt small compared to what had just unfolded on the White House South Lawn.
The UFC did not just stage a fight card at the White House. It staged a spectacle that somehow lived up to the madness around it. The lawsuit had been dismissed. The storm held off. The production worked. The crowd delivered. The fighters delivered even more. And, in the end, UFC Freedom 250 became exactly what Dana White promised it could be: a once-in-a-lifetime collision of sports, history, patriotism, entertainment, and violence.
It was not perfect because it was normal. It was perfect because it was unlike anything the sport had ever seen.
Current MMA Rankings Updated (06-15-2026)
- New feature coming soon – “Returning Fighters” page, that will show previously top-ranked fighters who recently fought or are expected to fight after a long period of inactivity.
Dismissed : Federal Judge Clears the Way for UFC Freedom 250 After Last-Minute Legal Battle
Washington, D.C. – The lawsuit came in hot. The headlines got loud. The critics thought they had one final shot to stop the UFC from turning the White House South Lawn into the most surreal fight venue in American sports history. Then, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta stepped in Friday and effectively said what Dana White had been saying all week.
The fights are on.
How to Incorporate Carrara Marble for Luxurious Bathroom Renovations
Bathrooms are more than just functional spaces; they are sanctuaries of relaxation and rejuvenation. To elevate this space, many homeowners turn to Carrara Marble, a timeless material renowned for its elegance and durability. This article will explore how to seamlessly incorporate Carrara Marble into your bathroom renovation. We’ll cover the transformative power of marble accents, guide you in selecting the right marble, inspire you with creative design ideas, and provide tips on maintaining its pristine condition.
Combat Sports in 2026: What the Usyk vs. Verhoeven Fight Tells Us About the Future of Fighting
Usyk Defends His Title Against Kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids: What This Fight Says About Where Combat Sports Is Heading in 2026
When Oleksandr Usyk stepped into the ring against Rico Verhoeven at the foot of the Giza Pyramids, it was one of those rare sporting moments where spectacle and substance arrived at the same time. Australian combat sports fans who regularly use https://australia-bonusesfinder.com/ to find active promotions around major fight events were among the most engaged audiences globally that night, and for good reason. This bout was more than a title defence. It was a clear signal about where the entire combat sports industry is heading.
Ricky Casino Australia Review: VIP and Affiliate Program
The platform Ricky casino has a large following in Australia. This is due to its catalog of over 1.700 games and 24/7 active support. Information related to is Ricky Casino legit often focuses on licensing, player protection measures, and payment reliability. But it’s also worth analyzing the VIP and affiliate programs it offers to users in the country. Below, we offer a detailed Ricky Casino reviews Australia.
Why Watching MMA Still Isn’t the Same Across Regions in 2026
Image generated by Gemini
The UFC routinely sells out arenas across five continents, yet watching a live fight card remains a deeply territorial experience. A dedicated fan in the United States, Canada, the UK, India, or the Middle East has to navigate completely different apps, subscription tiers, and payment gateways just to watch the exact same broadcast.
That disconnect doesn’t come from a tech problem. It comes from the regional structure of sports media rights, and the consequences hit hard for a sport that depends on frequent live events, last-minute lineup shuffles, and a hyper-engaged digital community. Consumer expectations for borderless entertainment keep running headfirst into the reality of localized broadcasting rules.
“I’m going to knock Mauricio Ruffy out on the White House lawn” – Will UFC Freedom 250 Become Michael Chandler’s Redemption Moment?
Michael Chandler has never needed much help turning a fight into theater. For most of his UFC run, the former Bellator champion has fought like a man trying to detonate the building before the final horn, whether that meant walking through danger, creating chaos, or giving fans the kind of violence that makes highlight reels feel too small for the moment.
But, on Sunday night, at UFC Freedom 250, Chandler says the moment itself may be bigger than anything he has ever walked into.
How to Watch UFC Live in Malaysia (Free & Paid, 2026)
UFC in 2026 hits different. The sport has never been more popular globally, the cards are stacked every single week, and Malaysian MMA fans are more engaged than ever. The problem? The streaming landscape just changed dramatically, and the old go-to option for Malaysian viewers is gone. Here’s what actually works in 2026, from free options to paid platforms, and how to catch every fight without missing a round.
RFP Fight Night – Lviv Cup: Bohdan “Pirat” Kril Memorial
On June 6, 2026, RFP hosted another charity event, RFP Fight Night – Lviv Cup: Bohdan “Pirat” Kril Memorial, dedicated to the memory of Ukrainian warrior Bohdan Kril, who gave his life defending Ukraine’s independence.
The event brought together fighters from across Ukraine to honor Bohdan’s legacy, support a charitable cause, and contribute to the continued development of mixed martial arts in Ukraine.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays (2026/#17)
Still trying to get out of this hole…
Fights considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:
- Both fighters must be active (fought in 360 days prior to event). Reduces uncertainty.
- Both fighters must have at least 7 fights in the prior 7 years, including 1+ loss. If the loss was in their debut, then 2+ losses are required.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
The numbers game behind MMA and why fight predictions feel like a lotto ticket sometimes
MMA looks like total chaos inside the cage, and when you start looking at the stats and probabilities, predicting fights feels a lot less scientific and a lot more like scratching a lotto ticket and hoping your number hits.
Mixed martial arts exploded. Everywhere you look, whether it’s a UFC main event or some small local show, fans are always out there trying to pick a winner. But here’s what most people figure out quickly: No matter how much you study, predicting fights in MMA just feels unpredictable. One clean shot and the whole thing changes. A fighter slips, suddenly they’re fighting for their life. The lock-of-the-night you picked? They’re on their back, staring at the ceiling.