Manel Kape

By FCF Staff

Manel Kape has to record some wins in the Octagon first. But, the former RIZIN champ has no doubts that he can beat newly crown, UFC flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo.

Figueiredo secured the vacant title last month by choking out Joseph Benavidez in the opening round. The bout marked the second time the Brazilian had defeated Benavidez. But, since Figueiredo missed weight for their February fight, he was ineligible to win the flyweight title.

Kape was scheduled to make his UFC debut on August 15th against Rogerio Bontorin, but the latter had to withdraw due to injury. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Kape reported that he’s sustained an ankle injury, and will be sidelined for several weeks.

But, while talking about the UFC’s flyweight division, and Figueiredo, the 26-year-old said this.

“I saw some mistakes from Deiveson,” Kape said. “You can see that he’s confident with his strikes, jiu-jitsu, but he don’t have cardio. I don’t know if it’s the weight cut, he cut too much weight, but you can see he becomes tired very early. If he fight against me, that my cardio starts to go up every round, it will not be good for him. He don’t really like staying in the same octagon with me, because I will let him work in the first round, but second round, 100 percent that I will smash him like I want. He needs to work more on this, because I’m coming.

“You need to work more your cardio, try to train your speed, because I saw my game. I can see that—It’s not to disrespect any fighter, but I can be a champion very easy in this division. Very easy, believe me.”

Recently Cody Garbrandt relayed that he wants to move to flyweight to challenge the new, Brazilian champ. While talking about ‘No Love’s’ plans, Kape said he’s on board.

“It will be good to have Cody Garbrandt in the 125 division, because he’s the former bantamweight champion and this gives some motivation, you know?” Kape said. “I like fighting with big dogs. The first time that I will make my debut, I don’t know, I talked with my manager and they want to give me some easy fight. I say, I come here, I don’t accept any fight if he’s not someone in the top-five. I come here to make my career, to be a champion.

Kape (15-4) hasn’t competed since December, when he stopped Kai Asakura at RIZIN 20.