Manel Kape (photo via YouTube / RIZIN)

By FCF Staff

Manel Kape has a new date and opponent for his UFC debut, as it’s being reported that former RIZIN champ will take on Alexandre Pantoja next month.

Kape was originally scheduled to fight flyweight  Rogerio Bontorin this past August, in what would have been his Octagon debut. But, Bontorin incurred an ankle injury and the fight was canceled.

Now MMA Junkie is reporting that sources have informed the outlet Kape and Pantoja have agreed to fight at the UFC’s December 19th card.

Kape (15-4) has won three straight but hasn’t fought since last December, when he stopped Kai Asakura at RIZIN 20.

Pantoja (22-5) is looking to get back on track, as he dropped a decision to Askar Askarov in July. Pantoja is currently ranked #5 in the UFC’s flyweight division.

The December 19th, UFC event is expected to take place at the Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The card will be headlined by a welterweight bout between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev.