Manel Kape does not want to be on the sidelines and wait for a title shot. He has made it clear that if he is not chosen as the next UFC flyweight title challenger, he wants to be busy and fight other contenders in the meantime.
The No. 2-ranked flyweight contender has called out newly minted champion Joshua Van countless times, even since “The Fearless” dethroned Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. However, recent rumors suggest that “Starboy” is not fighting for the title next.
Multiple social media pages claim that Van will make his first title defense against the No. 3-ranked contender, Tatsuro Taira, who has won four of his last five bouts. Taira’s most recent win came at UFC 323 against Brandon Moreno.
Meanwhile, Van is back in the gym and most recently shared with fans that his next fight is signed. However, he didn’t reveal if his upcoming opponent will be Kape or Taira.
“Floyd Mayweather of the Flyweights,” Manel Kape does not want to sit out and wait for the title fight winner
Manel Kape, who is currently riding a three-fight win streak, finished Bruno Silva, Asu Almabayev, and Brandon Royval back-to-back and then set his crosshairs on the 24-year-old UFC flyweight champion, Joshua Van.
However, the promotion has other plans, about which Kape posted on X:
The UFC gave me the opportunity to sit out and wait for the title fight winner. And knowing they honor their promises, I could definitely wait; that’s what most fighters would do.”
However, Kape doesn’t want to wait. He added:
But I’m not most fighters. And I’m not a coward who sits on his ranking position. I want one more fight in May or June, because that’s going to be the biggest contract renewal in this division. You can call me the Floyd Mayweather of the Flyweights. 🥊🔥”
Check out Manel Kape’s comments below:
In another X post, “Starboy” squashed the rumor that he and Van will lock horns at UFC 326:
Fake news. I am not fighting my “son” Joshua Van. My team and I have been pushing for this fight since my last one. However, according to the UFC, they had already promised the title shot to Tatsuro Taira after he defeated Brandon Royval.”
Check out Manel Kape’s post below:
Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja, who dislocated his shoulder and lost his title at UFC 323, is already back in the gym and pushing for an immediate rematch with Van upon his return.
That being said, it will be interesting to see whether the UFC is willing to wait for “The Cannibal” to come back and grant him the immediate title shot he deserves, or opt to move forward with other contenders like Tatsuro Taira or Manel Kape in the meantime.
