The Portuguese contender bets on his speed and karate to challenge the 125-pound champion

Manel Kape, one of the most prominent contenders in the UFC flyweight division, hides none of his ambition: to become champion and make history in the sport. In an interview with Daniel Cormier, the Portuguese fighter compared his upcoming duel against Joshua Van, the current 125-pound champion, to one of MMA’s most iconic KOs: Anderson Silva’s finish of Forrest Griffin in 2008 at UFC 101. A reference that speaks volumes about Kape’s confidence in his abilities.
To justify his optimism, the fighter highlights the speed and technical gap between himself and Van. "His strikes will be too slow for my taste," he stated, drawing a parallel to the gap that separated Silva from Griffin over 15 years ago. An analysis rooted in his own karate style, renowned for its precision and explosive power.
Kape, who recently secured a TKO win in the 3rd round against Kyoji Horiguchi, a feared opponent in the division, goes even further in his statements. According to him, Horiguchi would have easily knocked Van out in the first round. "You need a solid strategy to face a karateka of this level," he emphasizes, stressing the skill gap between the two men. A declaration that reinforces the idea that Kape already sees himself lifting the 125-pound belt.
With such confidence, the fight against Van is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated of the year. UFC fans can expect an explosive showdown, where Kape’s speed and technique could redefine the division’s standards.