Manel Kape steamrolled Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112 earlier this month in Las Vegas, a performance that is likely to award “Starboy” the next flyweight title shot. That’s assuming Alexandre Pantoja is not ready to make a quick turnaround after losing the 125-pound title to Joshua Van by way of accidental injury at UFC 323.
If that’s the case, then Kape (22-7) plans to make a statement against Van (16-2) early next year. A victory for the 32 year-old “Starboy” would undoubtedly lead to a Pantoja
rematch after “Starboy” was defeated by “The Cannibal” at UFC Vegas 18 back in early 2021.
“People always think it’s going to be a competitive fight. No, it’s not going to be a competitive fight,” Kape told MMA Fighting. “The matchmakers, when they see me fight against Joshua Van, they’ll think what? We threw this kid to hell. It’s not going to be a competitive fight. For who thinks it’s going to be a competitive fight, it ain’t going to be a competitive fight. I’m going to destroy him and badly. The competition is going to be a tremendous difference of levels and that’s what’s going to happen.”
Kape is hoping matchmakers will find a spot for him on one of the upcoming Paramount+ fight cards, even if it means demoting Sean Strickland from the UFC Houston main event.
“Let’s go March 8,” Kape said. “That’s the date. But I don’t mind to fight in Houston. I don’t mind to be a title co-main event. I know this doesn’t happen but I don’t mind this. For me, all that matters for me is fighting for the belt. If it’s a co-main event, a main event, it’s going to be beautiful. UFC can change, put Strickland in the co-main event and me as the main event in Houston. It’s going to be beautiful. It’s not something they cannot change. They can change. February looks beautiful to me.”
It looks equally beautiful to Van, judging by this tweet.
