Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev didn’t hold back on Manel Kape’s latest controversy.
Manel Kape is potentially next for the UFC flyweight title shot after his impressive finish over Asu Almabayev in the UFC Vegas 103 main event. But his latest performance didn’t come without some controversy inside the Octagon.
Kape put on a largely dominant performance against the surging Almabayev at UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. But leading up to his third-round TKO finish, Kape landed multiple swipes to Almabayev’s eyes, one of which was overlooked by referee Mike Beltran live during the fight.
Despite Kape’s impressive showing, fans didn’t hold back on social media in pointing out his multiple infractions during the UFC Vegas 103 headliner. The most hostile critic of Kape’s eyepokes was Muhammad Mokaev, who handed Kape one of his few UFC defeats at UFC 304 before being cut by the promotion.
Muhammad Mokaev rips Manel Kape after multiple eye pokes at UFC Vegas 103
In a recent post to X, Mokaev reacted to Kape’s controversial win at UFC Vegas 103.
“Dirty fighter. Popped on steroids. Eye poked and didn’t even stopped, when I eyed poked you I stoped and let you recover!” Mokaev posted. “I apologised for whatever happened between us and I thought it ended but you still talking s— about me in every interview! because live in your head, I beat you not even in my prime and pull your pants down in front of the whole world!
“And you will be my son for rest of life!”
As of this writing, Kape hasn’t responded to Mokaev’s social media jabs. He could potentially get the next title shot against UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja later this year.
Kape and Mokaev had a chaotic rivalry leading up to and during their UFC 304 clash in Manchester last July. After a fight-week altercation and multiple pre-fight scuffles, Kape and Mokaev put on a sluggish fight for fans, well below the high expectations associated with the two heated rivals.
Muhammad Mokaev remains hopeful of a UFC return despite shuns from matchmakers
Mokaev was cut by the promotion despite defeating Kape by unanimous decision at UFC 304. The undefeated flyweight returned to his old stomping grounds, Brave CF, winning by first-round submission in his most recent fight in December.
Mokaev remains hopeful about an eventual UFC return despite a strained relationship with UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers. White revealed that the brass doesn’t think highly of Mokaev’s style and attitude, both of which were significant factors in their decision to release him.
But for now, the self-proclaimed ‘highest-paid flyweight’ Mokaev remains a distant memory for the UFC brass. As for Kape, tensions between himself and Mokaev haven’t dissipated since their UFC 304 fight.
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