UFC Vegas 103 is now in the books and after a rather slow start to the night, Manel Kape rounded out the evening with an impressive third-round KO win over Asu Almabayev.
Despite being accused of cheating in the UFC Vegas 103 main event, the Portuguese Angolan ‘Staryboy’ is now firmly back in the win column and finds himself staring down a shot at the flyweight title.
Luckily, it didn’t take long for champion Alexandre Pantoja to react to the UFC Fight Night main event – phoning into the ESPN post-show to speak directly with the now 21-7 contender.
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Manel Kape calls out Alexandre Pantoja after UFC Vegas 103 KO
Manel ‘Starboy’ Kape was a moderate favorite heading into UFC Vegas 103 and certainly looked the part as he outworked and outclassed Asu Almabayev on the feet with relative ease.
Aside from several rather nasty eye pokes that have drawn cries of cheating from the fanbase, Kape’s pressure eventually paid off in the form of a third-round melting of the Kazakh.
Speaking with Jon Anik in the octagon, Kape would call out the flyweight champion as well as his expected next title challenger from New Zealand.
“Pay attention Pantoja and Kai Kara-France… Be ready, because I’m gonna steal that belt like I steal candy from my daughter.”
Champion Pantoja joins Manel Kape in UFC Vegas 103 post-fight interview
Following his third-round knockout win at UFC Vegas 103, both Manel Kape and Alexandre Pantoja would join the ESPN post-fight show to exchange words.
“What a fight, Manel is so strong… Manel is a different level, this guy [Almabayev] is not on the same level as Manel,” stated the flyweight champion, acknowledging that he’s happy to see ‘Starboy’ flying high once again.
“I’m very happy to have Manel in my division because the shows like that, I love watching Manel fighting [he’s] entertainment, he has so many skills in striking, he has good takedown defense – you deserve all the glory… You can come for the title, but you know, I’m here brother.”
The two flyweights showered each other in compliments, with Pantoja noting that there doesn’t need to be any trash-talk or personal animosity to promote such a highly-skilled matchup – although the post-show may have accidentally leaked Pantoja’s next UFC title fight.
“I’m super happy right now. Maybe people think we need to start talking s— to create something more special but I’m a big fan… Manel, beautiful fight my brother, if you have the chance to fight for the belt, it’s going to be very hard work to train for you brother.”
Kape responded by agreeing that their rivalry remains competitive in spirit, but that Pantoja shouldn’t confuse his respect with a lack of self-belief.
“I’m a big fan of Pantoja, the way he cares for his family shows how good a man he is, he’s not just a fighter – I can see [someone who has] values and principles.
“I don’t have any bad energy [towards him], we are respectful, but you know, when it comes to the title, I have to take that belt man… Be ready.”
Manel Kape entered UFC Vegas 103 as the #6 ranked flyweight contender; fans expect ‘Starboy’ to re-enter the top five come Tuesday’s update.