Manel Kape

UFC books Manel Kape – Alexandre Pantoja

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One of the best flyweights in the world will finally make his UFC debut on December 19th. Manel Kape (15-4) will make his promotional debut against Alexandre Pantoja (22-5) on the main card of the UFC’s fight night.

Kape is known as one of the best flyweights in the world. He enters the UFC after he was the Rizin bantamweight champion. There were questions around which weight class Kape would fight in whenever he made his debut with the UFC.

However, months ago, he stated that he feels like he can be champion at 125 pounds. Kape is extremely well rounded and he definitely has the skills to be a problem for anyone in the UFC‘s flyweight division. However, his first fight is not going to be an easy one.

Pantoja is currently ranked fifth in the UFC‘s flyweight rankings. In 2019, it appeared that Pantoja was well on his way to a title shot. That is before he ran into current flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo. Pantoja is now 1-2 in his last three fights inside the octagon.

UFC’s Fight Night

The UFC is putting together quite the show for their December 19th card. It was also announced this week that Stephen Thompson would be taking on Geoff Neal on that card. The card is already being headlined by Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards. 

However, Kape’s UFC debut is something that fight fans should really pay attention too. Kape is a very exciting addition for the UFC and this is brilliant match making. For hard core fans, they know that Kape is one of the best guys in the world.

Pantoja is an exciting fighter who’s already shown his worth inside the UFC. This should be a tremendously exciting matchup that’s the perfect way to introduce Kape. Either Kape wins and gets a huge boost to start his career in the octagon or Pantoja gets back on track with a massive win over the highly touted Kape.

UFC: Rizin Flyweight Champ, Manel Kape, set for debut at UFC 252

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The UFC‘s flyweight division is going to see an upgrade in August as Rizin flyweight champion, Manel Kape (15-4), makes his UFC debut per MMA Junkie. For the last couple of years, the flyweight division has been extremely shallow with talent. Now, we are starting to see some positive momentum for a division the UFC was close to shutting down recently.

Kape will be making his debut against Rogerio Bontorin (16-2, 1 NC) in August. Bontorin is currently the ninth ranked flyweight in the world, so this is not going to be an easy first fight for the Rizin champ. Kape is no stranger to UFC talent as he holds wins over UFC veterans, Ian McCall and Takeya Mizugaki.

New talent for the UFC’s flyweight division

Kape is an exciting fighter who can win in all stages of the fight. Kape is a natural finisher who has only seen the judges scorecards three times in his career, losing two of those. In his 15 wins, nine have come by knockout, and five have come by submission. Kape is going to be a guy who can climb to the top of the division quickly if he’s able to win in August.

Bontorin made his debut in the UFC last year after winning on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. The Brazilian won his first two fights before dropping  a contest to former title challenger, Ray Borg. A win over Kape would be massive in Bontorin’s ambitions to climb in the UFC‘s flyweight division.

If this fight stays on the feet, you will have to think that Kape has the massive advantage. Kape has tremendous striking, and Bontorin is viewed more as a ground specialist. UFC 252 will be a big night for the flyweight division. The UFC has seen a big surge in African born fighters over the last couple of years, and Kape could be on his way to being the next big-time African fighter if he’s able to win at UFC 252.