Manel Kape former Rizin Bantamweight CHAMPION after defeating Kai Asakura for the Bantamweight title at Rizin 20 in a masterful performance knocking Asakura in the second round, Leading to signing with the UFC.
Kape dropping down to the flyweight division and first opponent is Alexandre Pantoja #5th flyweight. Obvious step up in competition since his loss to Kyoji Horiguchi but Kape is up to the challenge as he’s highly respected amongst his training partners at AKA Thailand.
“I’m looking for a great battle. I know Pantoja’s a tough guy,” he stated. “But I see some limitations in his game that I can take good advantage of.” As to what those limitations are, Kape explained that he is a smarter, more complete fighter, while Pantoja is limited by being a slower fighter than the competition Kape has previously faced. “He has nothing that I’ve never seen before in his game,” said Kape. “But always, I never underestimate nobody. Never. But I’m sure that I’m better than him, 100%.”
https://cagesidepress.com/2021/02/05/ufc-vegas-18-manel-kape-one-more-fighter/
Manel Kape calling out Cody Garbrandt, Deiveson Figueiredo in MMA interviews. Making his name heard across social media platforms, MMA interviews. Building his name with the casual fans, Understanding he’s one of the best Non-UFC fighters.
Spotlight is on Manel Kape fighting in the Main Card, UFC promoting Manel Kape as one of the best fighters in the world. Champion from another organization as he’s coming here to prove that the best fighters don’t have to fight for the UFC.
“This year will be a blessed year for me,” said Kape. “Hopefully, by the end of the year, I have the belt. This is what I see, this is my goal, and this is what I’ve been working towards for such a long time.”
https://www.ufc.com/news/its-finally-manel-kapes-time-shine-ufc-fight-night-overeem-volkov-read
Definitely has what it takes to become a UFC Flyweight Champion creating a legacy for himself. Training at AKA Thailand with Mike Swick now AKA San Jose with Javier Mendez. Some of the best fighters in the world. Iron sharpens iron.
“I will keep my training there at AKA Thailand, but for camps, I will be here in America,” explained Kape, who carries a three-fight winning streak and 15-4 record into his debut on Saturday night. “I found an amazing coach and amazing sparring partners here.
“We have more intensity,” he said of the difference between his two training situations. “I have better partners, better coaches because the coaches here have been in the fight business a long time and they show me new things. The little details make all the difference — in the intensity of the sparring, in the training — and what I have here is a bunch of training partners that all compete at a high level.”
https://www.ufc.com/news/its-finally-manel-kapes-time-shine-ufc-fight-night-overeem-volkov-read
High level training hopefully helps because there’s no easy fights in the UFC but Kape is ready for the challenge!!
Kape confident in his skills that we should expect a dominant performance… Masterclass.
“Fans can expect a master class, and a smart game,” he said when asked what those getting their introduction to his skills and abilities will see on Saturday night. “I want to show and I want to prove that I’m the best fighter in the world.
https://www.ufc.com/news/its-finally-manel-kapes-time-shine-ufc-fight-night-overeem-volkov-read
I’m truly excited for this fight and Manel Kape’s long awaited debut.
Billy's MMA Blog 