Manel
Kape has established himself as a formidable contender in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s flyweight division. The former
Rizin Fighting Federation champion currently occupies the No. 6
spot in the UFC flyweight rankings and is widely recognized as a
perennial threat in the 125-pound weight class. His well-rounded
fighting style and diverse skill set, punctuated by unwavering
confidence, contribute to his reputation as a force to be reckoned
with inside the Octagon.
Kape will face
Matheus
Nicolau in a highly anticipated
UFC Fight Night 234 rematch on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las
Vegas. Their initial clash in March 2021 ended in a closely
contested split decision, marking Kape’s last promotional loss.
Following that setback, Kape has been on an impressive run, with
four victories in as many fights. The upcoming rematch presents an
opportunity for him to seek redemption and potentially propel
himself closer to title contention.
As Kape aims to even his score with Nicolau, a look at five of the
many moments that have come to define him:
1. A Matter of Fortitude
While Kape succumbed to a submission loss against
Souksavanh
Khampasath in his debut for the Knock Out Championship
organization, his resilience shined through when he returned to the
promotion a year later. Despite the initial setback, he rebounded
spectacularly at KOC 8 on April 18, 2015. “Starboy” defeated
Antoine
Gallinaro with an armbar in the fourth round, laying claim to
the KOC bantamweight championship.
2. Back in the Saddle
Kape weathered a turbulent period between 2015 and 2017, which
included a two-year hiatus marked by three canceled bouts. The
Luanda, Angola, native staged a remarkable return by signing with
the Rizin Fighting Federation. His promotional debut unfolded in
the Rizin bantamweight grand prix. Kape faced
Erson
Yamamoto and got under his opponent’s skin with audacious
pre-fight trash-talk. The bout concluded in a mere 71 seconds, with
a left leg head kick that resulted in a technical knockout. Some
saw the stoppage as premature.
3. Golden Gate
Kape faced
Kai Asakura
in a rematch for the vacant Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight
title at Rizin 20. “Starboy” engaged in peculiar trash-talk and
dramatically tore apart a cardboard cutout of Asakura, even going
on to chew up the remnants. As the fight progressed, Asakura
attempted to capitalize on his reach, while Kape opted for an
aggressive approach. Kape’s approach resulted in a technical
knockout victory through a relentless onslaught of punches in the
second round. This triumph also secured him a “Fighter of the Year”
nomination at the Asian MMA Awards.
4. Pathfinder
Kape encountered
Ode
Osbourne in a catchweight bout at UFC 265 on Aug. 6, 2021 after
he missed weight, exceeding the flyweight non-title fight limit by
three pounds. Kape incurred a 20% fine of his purse, and the fight
progressed at a catchweight. The bout ended swiftly in the first
round, with Kape delivering a stunning knockout. He initiated the
finishing sequence with a perfectly executed flying knee and
followed it with a barrage of punches. While the weight issue may
have slightly marred the occasion, the triumph represented Kape’s
first UFC victory and charted the path for a promising run in the
organization.
5. Bonus Room
Kape was originally scheduled to face
Kai
Kara-France at UFC 293 on Sep. 9, 2023. However, Kara-France
withdrew from the bout in due to a training-related concussion,
paving the way for newcomer
Felipe
dos Santos to step in. Undeterred, Kape emerged victorious in
the fight, securing a unanimous decision. This triumph also earned
him his “Fight of the Night” bonus. Besides the victory, Kape
gained notable recognition, largely attributed to his pre-fight
banter with former UFC middleweight champion
Israel
Adesanya and his controversial statements during the post-fight
Octagon interview.