Kape Says He'll Make Van Fight Look Easy

Manel Kape believes UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van presents the perfect stylistic matchup for him and expects to make their eventual title fight look simple.

Van retained the 125-pound belt against Alexandre Pantoja in a five-round war at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, marking his second consecutive defense. Kape, riding a four-fight knockout streak after his comeback finish over Kyoji Horiguchi, posted on social media that Van's boxing-centric approach plays directly into his hands.

Kape Targets Van's Striking Style

"The perfect style for me to paint a masterpiece," Kape wrote, per Sherdog. "You're all going to be surprised by how easy I make this fight look."

Van has faced grappling-heavy opponents in both title defenses so far, stopping Tatsuro Taira before weathering Pantoja's wrestling pressure over 25 minutes. Kape, one of the division's most dangerous strikers, sees Van's stand-up game as an opening rather than a threat.

The Angolan contender also claimed he will weigh close to 160 pounds on fight night, a massive rehydration compared to Van's 145.8-pound event weight at UFC 331. The California State Athletic Commission released those figures after the card. Kape weighed in at 125 pounds for his Horiguchi bout and suggested his size advantage will factor into the fight.

Kape holds a 23-7 record and has stopped four consecutive opponents inside the distance, positioning himself as the clear frontrunner for the next flyweight title shot.

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• Sherdog — Manel Kape says he’ll make Joshua Van fight look ‘easy’