UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van competed less than two weeks ago, and he's already back chirping at the contender most likely to be his next opponent.
On Wednesday, Van (18-2 MMA, 11-1 UFC) turned his attention back to rival Manel Kape, which got a quick initial response – but not yet from Kape.
"Yo fat f*ck," Van wrote on X. "Start cutting now cuz u better make weight !! We don’t want another weight excuse. Let’s give the people wht they want!!!"
UFC heavyweight Steven Asplund caught a stray that wasn't even directed at him – a self-inflicted, self-deprecating and hilarious move.
"Damn Josh my bad," Asplund wrote.
Damn Josh my bad
— Steven Asplund (@StevenA75) September 30, 2026
Shortly thereafter the real target posted a rebuttal. Not one to shy away from trash talk, Kape (23-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC)
returned to the diaper-centric insults that he first debuted after a December 2025 win over Brandon Royval.
"Finally came out of hiding, son?" Kape wrote on X. "They told me you weren’t sure about facing your dad, but I guess there’s nowhere left to run. I promised I’d change your diapers, & I always keep my word. By the way, the weight I’m putting on is just so I can put you to sleep even earlier than Charles Johnson did."
Van quickly clapped back.
"Hiding ??" Van wrote on X. "I been here, like I always am. You just too busy shopping for bra , udk wht been goin on."
Hiding ??
— Joshua Van (@JoshuaVanBT) September 30, 2026
I been here, like I always am.
You just too busy shopping for bra , udk wht been goin on https://t.co/BVmYNtfrLn
Kape was quick to respond again.
"The only things I’ve been shopping for are diapers & your health insurance," Kape wrote. "Trust me, you’re gonna need both. And like a good father, I’m making sure everything’s taken care of in advance."
Van then wondered aloud.
"Wht with your obsession With diapers," Van wrote. "Make me wonder #tittyboi"
Neither Van nor Kape are booked at this time. Van, 24, just defeated Alexandre Pantoja for the second time Sept. 19 at UFC 331. It was his second UFC flyweight title defense. Kape currently sits at No. 1 in the Meta UFC rankings and No. 2 in the UFC media rankings.
Kape, 32, is likely next in line for a crack at Van. He's won four straight fights, including a knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi in his most recent outing in June.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joshua Van, Manel Kape hurl insults as UFC heavyweight hilariously interjects
