UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape believes he knows how to get revenge on champion Alexandre Pantoja and secure the throne at 125 pounds.
Kape staked his claim for a first championship opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage this weekend at UFC Vegas 103, which he headlined opposite replacement opponent Asu Almabayev.
A convincing knockout victory marked back-to-back wins for Kape and has left many calling for him to challenge Pantoja next time out.
The pair have history inside the Octagon, with the current champ having welcomed the ex-Rizin titleholder to the UFC back in 2021. Pantoja emerged victorious via the scorecards.
Kape has since been pursuing a rematch en route to the title, and during a face-to-face interview alongside the Brazilian on Saturday’s ESPN UFC Post Show, “Starboy” outlined his confidence in succeeding against Pantoja second time around.
“There is many things I can exploit in Pantoja’s game,” Kape said. “I see that Pantoja walks forward too much, you know? And brother, I’m a sniper. So prepare for that. That hand is heavy. There is 14 knockouts here in MMA. It’s not every weight that has that much knockouts as me — flyweight, welterweight, bantamweight. I have 14 knockouts, so be ready.”
For now, Pantoja will likely have his attention on another former adversary in Kai Kara-France. He’s expected to defend the flyweight title against “Don’t Blink” at UFC 316 in Newark this coming June.
