Manel Kape finally lived up to his potential in the main event of UFC Vegas 112 last night (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025) opposite former title challenger Brandon Royval.
“Starboy” has possessed the skills and athleticism to be a title contender for years now, but Kape has never quite put it all together. He suffers from the classic counter puncher dilemma, the need to wait for that perfect moment to materialize. Though his punches are worlds faster and more powerful than just about everyone else, Kape has still
lost multiple fights simply by not throwing enough. In fact, his UFC career began with an 0-2 run (the first loss admittedly being to the great Alexandre Pantoja).
Kape’s current three-fight win streak — all via knockout — is strong evidence that he’s moved beyond that flaw. Smashing the durable Royval in three minutes is particularly great work, seeing as Kape landed the finest win of his career on the front foot while throwing in combination. It’s a statement win, the kind of victory that pushes Kape from a “what if” to genuine title contender.
Kape’s ascension comes at a very exciting time for the Flyweight division, which has historically struggled with depth and the weight of great champions. As Pantoja racked up his second and third wins over the division’s top contenders, the 125-pound class started feeling thin once more. We’re certainly not at risk of the division getting scrapped (again), but it’s far from the marquee of combat sports.
Perhaps that changes a bit in 2026 on Paramount? I wouldn’t wish Pantoja’s grotesque elbow dislocation on a fighter I hated, much less a champion I admire, but Joshua Van’s sudden status as champion does make for some exciting new possibilities. The young Texan likes to fight often, creating a clear opportunity for an early 2026 title defense while Pantoja’s injury heals up.
For the first time in years — I truly don’t know how many of them — Flyweight has options. Kape just put forth an excellent argument for his first title shot, and Kape vs. Van is such an easy sell as quite possibly the two best Flyweight knockout artists in the game right now. Last weekend at UFC 323, 25-year-old Tatsuro Taira picked up a career-best win over former champion Brandon Moreno, stopping “The Assassin Baby” with strikes in the second round. He’s an outstanding athletic talent himself, a clear problem for the Flyweight elite for the next decade.
If booked, Van vs. Taira would be the first UFC title fight between two athletes born in the 2000s, the start of a rivalry that could shape the division for years to come.
The old guard hasn’t dried up just yet either. Kyoji Horiguchi is right back in the mix after battering Tagir Ulanbekov in his Octagon return, and he’ll face a Top Five-ranked contender in Amir Albazi in February. With a second UFC win in three months, the Japanese legend will have successfully put forth his own bid for a title shot, potentially bringing us to three strong options.
Whenever Pantoja is back, that number grows to four.
Hopefully, the elite Flyweight ranks continue to grow into the new year. The current state is as strong as it’s been in recent memory, and the influx of Paramount cash should help collect even more of the 125-pound talent from the world scene. Somebody has to headline all these non-PPV numbered events next year, and perhaps it’ll be the Flyweights picking up that slack.
