UFC and Dana White Set Up High-Stakes Contender Bout for Top Spot
Following UFC Tampa on December 14, UFC President Dana White expressed to Manel Kape that he wouldn't be getting a title shot, but he'd receive what he desired. It appears we now have insight into White's comments during the last post-event press conference of 2024.
As per various sources, Kape is on the brink of a No. 1 contender battle with the current top-ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval. Reports suggest that the fight will take place on March 1 at UFC Apex.
This fight appears to be the main event, unless the reports prove to be untrue.
The battle looks enticing on paper.
Kape has Showcased impressive skills in his last contest. At UFC Tampa, despite three low blows from Bruno Silva, Kape managed to secure a third-round TKO. Instantly following his victory, Kape made his way to White, seated Octagon side, and appealed for a title shot.
White confirmed they would discuss the matter. It seems that dialogue has transpired, and the outcome is a No. 1 contender’s clash with Royval.
Royval clinched the No. 1 contender spot with a win over Tatsuro Taira in a gripping main event in October. If Royval had won against Taira, he would likely have taken on champion Alexandre Pantoja.
However, Royval declined the opportunity, leaving room for Japanese debutant Kai Asakura to challenge Pantoja for the title. Pantoja proved victorious against Asakura.
Pantoja defended his title in the main event of UFC 310 on December 7 in Las Vegas. After the match, Pantoja tried to lure former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson out of retirement with a callout.
Johnson swiftly denied the invitation on social media, confirming his retirement from MMA. Pantoja has dominated the current crop of flyweight contenders.
He has defeated Royval twice and managed three victories against No. 2 contender Brandon Moreno. No. 3 Amir Albazi suffered a defeat at the hands of Moreno in November. Pantoja has also triumphed against No. 4 Kai Kara France, though this occurred on The Ultimate Fighter in 2016.
Pantoja's dominance has forced the UFC to delve deeper into the rankings in search of title opponents. Pantoja has even triumphed over Kape. The two faced off in 2021, marking Kape's UFC debut.
However, Kape's only loss since 2021 was against Mohammed Mokaev, the undefeated flyweight who was expelled by the UFC in July due to his strained relationships with fellow fighters and UFC management.
If not for his departure, Mokaev would likely have already received a title shot. Regardless, the next title opponent will either be Kara France, No. 8 Asu Almabayev, or the victor of Kape-Royval.
Stay tuned.
Below is a glance at the rumored fights lined up for the March 1 UFC Fight Night event:
- Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape - Flyweight
- Montana De La Rosa vs. Luana Carolina - Flyweight
- Lucas Almeida vs. Danny Silva - Featherweight
- William Gomis vs. Hyder Amil - Featherweight
- Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson - Welterweight
- Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez - Middleweight
- Fans are eagerly anticipating Manel Kape's next fight against Brandon Royval, scheduled for March 1 at UFC Apex.
- The upcoming UFC 310 on December 7 will feature UFC President Dana White discussing Manel Kape's next step, potentially leading to his title shot.
- Following UFC 311, Kape and Royval's winner could potentially challenge champion Alexander Pantoja for the flyweight title.
- In preparation for his fight against Royval, UFC news has revealed that Manel Kape has been training rigorously, refining his skills in the octagon.
- Excited UFC fans are looking forward to UFC 312, where Kape or Royval could potentially face off against Alexandre Pantoja's next title opponent.
