Manel Kape was scheduled to take on Matheus Nicolau in the main event of the UFC’s Fight Night on April 27th, but Kape withdrew from the fight with Alex Perez stepping in.
It was announced by the promotion this past Tuesday evening (April 2nd), that Manel Kape was out of the scheduled main event, and that former title challenger Alex Perez would step in to fight Matheus Nicolau.
Kape and Nicolau were originally scheduled to fight on January 13th, but the 30-year-old Angolan missed weight, forcing the promotion to rebook the fight.
The two flyweights have fought previously in what was Kape’s second fight in the UFC, and the Brazilian, Nicolau edged in a split decision victory.
Kape’s last fight came against Felipe Dos Santos at UFC 293 in September, where he won a unanimous decision.
Manel Kape has now had 9 fight cancelations in 4 years
This latest withdrawal marks the ninth time that ‘Starboy’ has been involved in a fight cancelation.
Having only joined the promotion in 2020, his journey has been one filled with drama. Kape’s UFC debut was delayed several times as his scheduled debut against Rogerio Bonterin was canceled after Bontorin withdrew due to an ankle injury.
Just four months later, the promotion booked a fight between him and now flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, but the Brazilian withdrew shortly after.
Fortunately for ‘Starboy’ he was then able to string together four fights in 2021 before he was withdrawn from his scheduled fight with Sumudaerji, for testing positive for Turinabol Metabolite.
Another fight with Bonterin was booked and botched after the Brazilian failed in his weight-cut attempt.
Kape then fought David Dvorak in which he won a close decision, but that fight was followed by another three-fight cancelations, all of which were again his opponents pulling out.
During his four-year UFC tenure, Kape has been involved in nine fight cancelations, with only three of them being his withdrawal from the fights. On every other occasion, it has been his opponent that has caused the cancelation.
Manel Kape issues statement following latest withdrawal from elusive Nicolau rematch
The 30-year-old may go down as one of the unluckiest fighters in UFC history. To make matters worse, if he fought and successfully beat Matheus Nicolau, he would’ve likely secured himself the next flyweight title shot.
The UFC seemingly couldn’t risk giving the Angolan the UFC 301 title shot against Pantoja, after he’d missed weight in his last scheduled fight with Nicolau, so instead gave the title shot to Steve Erceg.
Following his most recent withdrawal, Kape has stated that he wants the record to be set straight, “This is the first time I’ve ever pulled out of a fight.” he said on X.
“I broke the cartilage of my rib and I couldn’t move for a week. On Thursday last week, my surgery went extremely well. Bear in mind that all my fights that got canceled in the past were due to my opponents.” he added.
Despite another setback, Kape isn’t letting it derail him and his dreams.
“Where I came from we used to fight for free, I’m not bragging about it I’m just being honest so don’t ever think I’m like some of you guys.”