UFC flyweight title contender Manel Kape has played down Alexandre Pantoja’s title reign, as he prepares for his number one contender fight against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304.
Earlier this month, UFC CEO, Dana White, announced that number six ranked flyweight, Muhammad Mokaev will take on number seven ranked, Manel Kape at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
‘Starboy’ last fought in September last year, edging a decision win against Felipe Dos Santos. Since then, he has been booked to fight Matheus Nicolau twice but withdrew on both occasions.
Mokaev felt hard done by when he was snubbed for the most recent title shot on May 4th after his decision win over Alex Perez in March, as the promotion opted with Steve Erceg instead of him, despite his six fight win streak.
Manel Kape plays down Alexandre Pantoja’s skillset
Although flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, successfully defended his title again, Kape wasn’t too impressed with his performance against Steve Erceg.
“Pantoja is not a skilled guy, he is just a hard worker. But every fight he has been exhausted, very sloppy fighter, I just think (Steve) Erceg was a little bit inexperienced for him.” Kape told Grind City Media.
Kape and Pantoja shared the Octagon back in 2021, in what was the Angolan’s first fight in the UFC, and the Brazilian got the better of Kape on that night. Despite Pantoja having became the 125lb champion since then, Kape hasn’t been impressed with his title reign.
“Pantoja has demonstrated not being a dominant champion. When you are the champion you have to show a difference in the cage and I don’t see this in (Pantoja). I have many ways to finish Pantoja. Right now I feel like we’re in different dimensions of levels.” Kape added.
Kape believes ‘there is no other way’ and will earn a title shot with a win at UFC 304
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Despite having historic beef with Kai Kara-France, the 30-year-old believes that with a win over Muhammad Mokaev on July 27th, ‘there is no other way’ than for him to be the next title challenger.
“There is no other way, there is no other way because Mokaev is the fighter with the six win streak, he’s the fighter that just finished Alex Perez, Perez finished Matheus Nicolau so a win over Mokaev is definitely, 100% a title shot next.
“I finish Mokaev and there is no other way, Kai Kara-France I’m not going to wait all my life.” Kape stated.
The 23-year-old Mokaev will likely look to take his fight against Kape to the ground where he holds a big advantage. Kape, though, believes that he could submit ‘The Punisher’ if he does decide to take the fight to the ground.
“I’m not focussed on the wrestling, I’m not focussed on his strength of wrestling. How many fighters have you seen take me down? Even Pantoja the champion when he fought me, he didn’t take me down, you think Mokaev is going to take me down?
“If he takes me down I’m going to do what I did to David Dvorak, I’m going to take his arm off.” Kape finished.