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UFC Vegas 119 Predictions: Best Bets for Kape vs. Horiguchi Fight Night
Dec 14, 2024; Tampa, Florida, UNITED STATES; Manel Kape (red gloves) reacts after defeating Bruno Silva (blue gloves) at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Just six days after one of the most memorable nights in UFC history, the action in the Octagon won’t be slowing down, as the Meta Apex in Las Vegas delivers UFC Vegas 119.
The main event of this Fight Night card will be a pivotal flyweight contenders’ matchup, as Manel Kape takes on Kyoji Horiguchi. This will be a rematch of the pair’s first meeting in RIZIN in December 2017. There, Horiguchi submitted Kape before knocking out Shintaro Ishiwatari that same night to claim the 2017 RIZIN Bantamweight Grand Prix title.
Kape has won three straight and comes in with a 7-3 Octagon record since making the jump from RIZIN. Kape comes into this bout off his best UFC performance yet, knocking out Brandon Royval this past December. Horiguchi, the former RIZIN and Bellator champion, is 2-0 since returning to the UFC, submitting Tagir Ulanbekov in November and scoring a decision over Amir Albazi in February.
The co-main event will be a light heavyweight battle between Ion Cutelaba and Navajo Stirling. Cutelaba fought in March, earning a first-round submission of Oumar Sy. Stirling, meanwhile, is 9-0 in his career, having won four UFC bouts since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Stirling fought at UFC Seattle in March, finishing Bruno Lopes.
The rest of the main card will feature Hyder Amil vs. Christian Rodriguez, Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Murtazali Magomedov, and Andre Fili vs. Vinicius Oliveira.
ION CUTELABA VS NAVAJO STIRLING
This will be Stirling’s toughest test yet in the Octagon, given Cutelaba’s experience. That said, Stirling has some size advantage over Cutelaba, and he’s coming in riding the momentum of his current unbeaten run. This is not just going to be a gatekeeper vs. rising prospect matchup, but we’re going to see Cutelaba’s power-filled and Sambo-based fighting style against the Muay Thai and kickboxing of Stirling.
Cutelaba could very well try to push the pace early and try to end things quickly with his “Hulk smash” style; however, that could be a crucial mistake, leaving himself open to attack from Stirling’s kickboxing. Stirling may have some grappling and jiu-jitsu experience, but it’s nothing compared to Cutelaba’s grappling game. If Cutelaba can hold out against Stirling’s forward pressure and get this to the ground, he’ll have the edge. But that’s tough to imagine for him to do for most of the 15 minutes.
BET: Stirling -3.5 (DraftKings: -190)
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ANDRE LIMA VS KEVIN BORJAS
Andre Lima is a strong kickboxer who makes use of his distance. He’ll land kicks from range, focused on punishing leg kicks early and displaying a sound counterattack before working combinations. Kevin Borjas has plenty of power in his strikes, but his DWCS win and lone Octagon win have come via decision (unlike his previous victories), and he’s just 1-4 in the Octagon since earning his contract. He could very well be fighting for his UFC future here, and Lima’s a tough outing.
Though Lima has had weight issues, Borjas is the one who missed weight, furthering the hole for himself. Borjas will have to decide whether to try to handle an early storm or to try to get Lima out of there quickly; either way, he’s in some trouble here.
BET: Lima via TKO OR Points (FanDuel: -240)
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BIA MESQUITA VS MELISSA MULLINS
Not to take anything away from the toughness and savageness of Melissa Mullins, but this line being so close is surprising. Bia Mesquita is a GOAT in jiu-jitsu, and there’s been plenty of hype around her since she transitioned to MMA and made her UFC debut this past October. She has scored finishes in almost all of her fights, with five submissions, a TKO, and a DQ win in her name to make up her current 7-0 record.
Mullins is an all-rounder, so she will need to use her takedown defense, and that better be at an A+ game. She’ll need to make Mesquita work in the clinch – and better yet, combine it with range-based offense to test Mesquita’s cardio. One takedown and submission attempt will be all that it takes for Mesquita to quickly end things, so Mullins had better watch out.
BET: Mesquita via submission (FanDuel: -105)
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Sports
FaZe send Falcons to first loss in CDL Major 4 qualifying
The hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
E Sports
FaZe Vegas handed the Riyadh Falcons their first defeat in Call of Duty League Stage 4 Major qualifying, prevailing 3-0 on Friday as the third and final week of matches began.
In the day’s other action, the undefeated Los Angeles Thieves downed Cloud9 New York 3-1, and the Paris Gentle Mates topped the Boston Breach 3-1.
The 12 Call of Duty League teams are playing five qualifying matches apiece to determine seeding for the fourth major of the season to be held Thursday through June 28 at Nanterre, France. Each team receives 10 CDL points for each win.
On Friday, Vegas routed Riyadh 250-166 on Gridlock Hardpoint, 6-1 on Gridlock Search and Destroy and 7-0 on Gridlock Overload.
The United States’ Jovan “04” Rodriguez paced FaZe with 61 kills and a plus-40 K-D differential. Saudi Arabia’s Saud “Exnid” Al-Ati logged 45 kills and a minus-7 K-D differential for Riyadh.
The Thieves opened with a 250-158 triumph on Hacienda Hardpoint before Cloud9 equalized with a 6-2 win on Sake Search and Destroy. Los Angeles wrapped up the match by capturing Scar Overload 3-2 and Den Hardpoint 250-210.
France’s Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez carried the Thieves with 93 kills and a plus-7 K-D differential. The United States’ Jordan “Encourage” Byrd put up 95 kills and a plus-15 K-D differential for Cloud9.
After Paris took Gridlock Hardpoint 250-121, Boston claimed Fringe Search and Destroy 6-3. The Gentle Mates then prevailed 3-1 on Den Overload and 250-233 on Sake Hardpoint.
The remaining qualifying schedule:
Saturday
–Miami Heretics vs. Cloud9 New York
–Vancouver Surge vs. Los Angeles Thieves
–Toronto KOI vs. OpTic Texas
–Riyadh Falcons vs. G2 Minnesota
Sunday
–Vancouver Surge vs. Miami Heretics
–Toronto KOI vs. G2 Minnesota
–FaZe Vegas vs. Carolina Royal Ravens
Call of Duty League Stage 4 Major qualifying standings, with match record and map differential:
1. Los Angeles Thieves, 4-0, +5
2. Riyadh Falcons, 3-1, +2
3. Paris Gentle Mates, 3-2, +4
4. Boston Breach, 3-2, +2
5. G2 Minnesota, 2-1, +2
6. OpTic Texas, 2-2, +4
7. FaZe Vegas, 2-2, +1
8. Carolina Royal Ravens, 2-2, 0
9. Miami Heretics, 1-2, -2
10. Toronto KOI, 1-2, -4
11. Vancouver Surge, 0-3, -7
12. Cloud9 New York, 0-4, -7
–Field Level Media
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Injury-plagued Tigers hope Troy Melton continues success vs. White Sox
Detroit Tigers pitcher Troy Melton (52) throws against Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Troy Melton missed his most recent turn in the Detroit rotation due to back tightness. The right-hander avoided a trip to the injured list, however, and is scheduled to start for the Tigers against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
The Tigers won the opener of the three-game series 4-3 on Friday.
Melton (3-0, 2.81 ERA) had his season debut delayed until late May due to right elbow inflammation. He has wasted no time giving the Tigers’ rotation a boost, winning three of his first four starts.
The only time Melton didn’t notch a victory came against the White Sox on May 29, but it was a quality performance. He limited Chicago to one run and six hits in seven innings, but the Tigers lost 4-3 in 10 innings.
Melton is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three career outings (two starts) against the White Sox.
Keeping Melton healthy is crucial for the Tigers, who continue to deal with a host of injuries.
Justin Verlander, who has pitched just once this season due to a left hip ailment, was slated to return on Sunday. Instead, he will be out several more weeks due to a left hamstring strain.
Starter Jack Flaherty is on the injured list due to a left ankle injury.
Key position players Gleyber Torres, Wenceel Perez, Javier Baez and Parker Meadows are also sidelined. Perez fractured his left orbital bone in Houston this week when he was hit in the face by a resistance band.
“We will know more when we get through the eye doctor and face doctor and see where he’s at in terms of activity level. But he’s safe and he’s in a good place,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “The swelling has started to go down.”
The Tigers called up 27-year-old outfielder Trei Cruz from Triple-A Toledo to take his place. Cruz’s grandfather, Jose Cruz, and father, Jose Cruz Jr., both played in the majors. Trei Cruz went hitless in three at-bats on Friday in his major league debut.
“He’s had to work hard to get here,” Hinch said. “It just shows, not everyone’s journey to the big leagues is a smooth ride. I love that he’s been tough enough to handle it.”
No matter who is wearing the White Sox uniform this season is seemingly producing. Chicago called up Junior Perez from Triple-A Charlotte this week to fill in for Everson Pereira, who sustained a concussion while hitting the outfield wall as he made a catch against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
Perez delivered the first two hits of his career on Friday, including a solo homer.
“He is an above-average runner, defender on the corners and projects about average in center field,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Stolen bases are part of his game. He has plus power and makes plus decisions at the plate. He is very similar to Pereira.”
Perez played 36 games for Triple-A Las Vegas in the Athletics’ system this season before the White Sox acquired him in a trade last month.
Sean Newcomb was a late choice to be the opener for the Saturday contest as Venable will employ a bullpen game. It will be his first start this year after 28 relief outings.
The 33-year-old left-hander exited his most recent appearance on Wednesday against the Yankees due to a left triceps contusion after getting hit by Anthony Volpe’s line drive. He allowed three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Newcomb has a 1.74 ERA and no decisions in five career appearances (all in relief) vs. the Tigers. He did not give up a hit in 2 2/3 scoreless innings against Detroit on May 29.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reds ask Andrew Abbott to slow surging Yankees, Ben Rice
Jun 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) hits a three run home run during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images While Cam Schlittler dominates every few games, Ben Rice seemingly is productive every day for the New York Yankees.
Rice is among the reasons the Yankees are off to a good start since losing Aaron Judge to a right rib stress fracture, and the first baseman will attempt to contribute to another victory Saturday in New York against the struggling Cincinnati Reds.
The Yankees are 10-5 since Judge last played on May 31. New York also is 16-6 in its past 22 games.
New York opened the series with a 5-0 victory on Friday. Schlittler struck out 13 batters in six dominant innings for his first career double-digit strikeout game in the regular season.
Schlittler also was supported by another big hit from Rice. The 27-year-old slugger belted a three-run homer and is batting .320 (8-for-25) with three homers and seven RBIs in his past six games.
Since May 26, Rice is hitting .333 (27-for-81) with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 20 games.
“He’s the lead man,” Schlittler said of Rice, who has 21 homers and 52 RBIs. “He’s a front-runner right now, and with Judge being out now, guys have stepped up and he’s been a huge piece of that and you expect that out of him.”
Aside from trying to quiet Rice’s bat, the Reds will attempt to generate more offense. After scoring 17 runs in a pair of wins over the New York Mets earlier this week, the Reds have scored once (an unearned run) and struck out 26 times over their past two games while facing Nolan McLean and Schlittler.
On Friday, the Reds finished with four hits and struck out a season-worst 17 times.
Eugenio Suarez struck out three times and is 11-for-58 (.190) in June. Sal Stewart is 12-for-60 (.200) this month, while Spencer Steer is 6-for-50 (.120) after fanning twice. The trio combined to go 1-for-12 in the opener at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s been a tough stretch for us,” Suarez said. “We have a really good team. At some point, we are going to be where we want to be.”
The Reds are 5-11 since losing Elly De La Cruz to a right hamstring strain. The shortstop may be close to returning after homering in his first rehab game for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.
After Schlittler’s dominant showing, Will Warren (7-1, 3.47 ERA) heads into his first career start against Cincinnati. The right-hander hopes to give the Yankees a longer outing after failing to complete five innings during no-decisions at Cleveland and at Toronto in his latest two appearances.
Warren threw 91 pitches in 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball against the Guardians on June 8. On Sunday, he fired a season-high 98 pitches in four innings while giving up two runs on eight hits against the Blue Jays.
Warren is 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA in his past six starts since allowing six runs in four innings during a 6-1 loss to Texas on May 6.
Left-hander Andrew Abbott (4-4, 3.95), who is 0-2 with a 3.91 ERA in his past four starts, gets the ball for Cincinnati on Saturday. Abbott has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past nine starts, including a no-decision against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, when he allowed one run on four hits in five innings.
Abbott earned the win in his only career start against the Yankees. He gave up one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings during a 3-2 victory on July 3, 2024, in New York.
–Field Level Media
FaZe send Falcons to first loss in CDL Major 4 qualifying
Injury-plagued Tigers hope Troy Melton continues success vs. White Sox
