Manel Kape News

Chris Taylor - December 13, 2025

The Octagon is back at the Apex for tonight’s UFC Vegas 112 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape. Royval (17-8 MMA) will enter this evening’s headliner looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to newly crowned flyweight champion Joshua Van in a ‘FOTN’ effort this past June at UFC 317. Prior to that setback, ‘Raw Dawg’ was on a two-fight win streak that saw him score split decision wins over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Moreno.

Cole Shelton - December 11, 2025

Manel Kape believes he can style on Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112. Kape is set to headline UFC Vegas 112 on Saturday against Royval in a pivotal fight at flyweight. The winner of the bout could get the next title shot against the new champion Joshua Van.

Harry Kettle - December 11, 2025

UFC flyweight Brandon Royval has spoken about what he plans to do to Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112. As we know, Brandon Royval is one of the most respected flyweights currently residing in the top 15. He has fought some of the very best at 125 pounds, and while he hasn’t been able to get his hands on the gold up to this point, you just know that you’re going to be in for a treat whenever you see him compete.

Josh Evanoff - March 13, 2025

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape doesn’t want to hear any excuses about his fight with Asu Almabayev. ‘Starboy’ and ‘Zulfikar’ are fresh off their meeting at UFC Vegas 103 earlier this month in Las Vegas. Both men entered the flyweight headliner riding lengthy winning streaks, and hoping to earn a crack at reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. In the end, the bout ended up being quite lopsided. Manel Kape broke down the younger Asu Almabayev, en route to a third-round stoppage victory.

Cole Shelton - March 3, 2025

The UFC was at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 1 for UFC Vegas 103. The main event saw Manel Kape take on Asu Almabayev in a pivotal flyweight bout. Kape entered the fight coming off a knockout win over Bruno Silva. Almabayev, meanwhile, was 4-0 in the UFC and was coming off a win over Matheus Nicolau to get his first main event spot.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 2, 2025

Manel Kape believes the UFC flyweight division could use him as the champion. Kape was back in action this past Saturday night. He shared the Octagon with Asu Almabayev in the main event of UFC Vegas 103. Kape scored a third-round TKO finish.

Chris Taylor - March 1, 2025

The Octagon returned to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 103 event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The fight card was headlined by a key men’s flyweight contest featuring Manel Kape taking on Asu Almabayev. The bout proved to be a coming out party for Manel Kape. ‘Starboy’ was able to use his speed and movement to overwhelm Asu Almabayev early and often in the evening’s headliner. After busting his opponent open with punches, Kape was able to score a TKO finish following a barrage of strikes midway through the third round (see that here). With the win, Kape is now primed for a title fight or number one contender’s bout next.

Chris Taylor - March 1, 2025

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 103 event was headlined by a key men’s flyweight contest featuring Manel Kape taking on Asu Almabayev. Kape (21-7 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a third-round TKO victory over Bruno Gustavo da Silva this past December at UFC Tampa Bay. ‘Starboy’ had gone 5-1 over his previous six Octagon appearances, with his lone loss in that stretch coming to Muhammad Mokaev by way of decision.

Chris Taylor - March 1, 2025

The Octagon returns to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 103 event, a ten-bout fight card headlined by Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev. Kape (20-7 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a third-round TKO victory over Bruno Gustavo da Silva this past December in Tampa Bay. ‘Starboy’ has gone 5-1 over his past six Octagon appearances, with his lone loss in that time coming to Muhammad Mokaev by way of decision.

BJ Penn Staff - February 28, 2025

It’s safe to say Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) doesn’t come naturally to top UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape. Angola’s Kape, who is now the UFC’s No. 6-ranked flyweight contender, got his start in combat sports as a boxer. As he transitioned into MMA, however, he needed to learn the grappling components of the sport, including BJJ.

Josh Evanoff - February 27, 2025

Asu Almabayev wants a UFC title shot with a victory over Manel Kape on Saturday. The 31-year-old flyweight has slowly, but surely, become a top contender at 125 pounds. Debuting in the UFC back in 2023, Asu Almabayev has rattled off four straight wins inside the octagon. Last October, he scored the biggest win of his promotional run thus far, handing longtime flyweight Matheus Nicolau a unanimous decision defeat.

Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2025

UFC flyweight contenders Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev will headline an Apex Fight Night in March. ‘Starboy’ was originally slated to meet Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 103. For his part, ‘Raw Dawg’ is riding a two-fight winning streak, comprised of victories over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Moreno. Meanwhile, Manel Kape is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Bruno Gustavo da Silva in December.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 5, 2025

Brandon Royval will not be facing Manel Kape on March 1st. The pivotal flyweight matchup was set to headline a UFC Fight Night card inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unfortunately, that fight will have to take place at another time. Royval has revealed that he is injured and will be unable to fight on the contracted date.

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has responded to Kai Kara-France. ‘Starboy’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC Tampa over the weekend. Back for the first time since a loss to Muhammad Mokaev in July, Manel Kape met the rising Bruno da Silva. ‘Bulldog’ entered the fight riding a four-fight winning streak, but was battered over the weekend. Kape wound up handing the Brazilian a third-round knockout loss.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 19, 2024

Kai Kara-France is dismissive of Manel Kape’s bad boy persona. It’s no secret that Kape isn’t afraid to speak his mind. The former RIZIN champion has been known for his brash personality, and he certainly hasn’t slowed down since arriving to the UFC. As of late, Kape and Kara-France have exchanged words. Kape has even taken aim at Kara-France’s teammate Israel Adesanya.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 15, 2024

Despite his stellar showing at UFC Tampa, Manel Kape will not be getting the next crack at UFC flyweight gold. Kape was in action this past Saturday night against Bruno Gustavo da Silva. The bout was initially marred by fouls from da Silva, but Kape was able to overcome the low blows and scored a scintillating third-round TKO finish. Kape barked at UFC CEO Dana White, pounding the table for a shot at Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship.

Harry Kettle - July 31, 2024

UFC fighter Jake Hadley has called out Muhammad Mokaev for his actions during UFC 304 fight week. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev has had an interesting week. He got involved in a brawl with Manel Kape and his team, defeated Kape at UFC 304, and was then released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. There are allegations that he had been negotiating with PFL while still being signed to UFC, but this has been rejected by Mokaev’s camp.

Curtis Calhoun - July 29, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape feels he should’ve been awarded a submission win over Muhammad Mokaev. Mokaev defeated Kape by unanimous decision to remain unbeaten in his professional MMA career at UFC 304. While the fight week beef between Mokaev and Kape entertained fans and pundits alike, it wasn’t enough to produce a barn-burner inside the Octagon.