Manel Kape enters UFC Vegas 112, carrying the weight of two nations and a story few fighters in the flyweight division can match. Ranked #6 in the world, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion has rebuilt his momentum after a rocky UFC start, transforming himself into one of the most explosive and unpredictable contenders at 125 pounds.

But while fans know the swagger, the knockouts, and the fiery press conferences, far fewer know the roots behind the man who calls himself “Starboy.” Let’s break down the origins that shaped one of the division’s most compelling personalities.

Is Manel Kape Angolan or Portuguese? Ethnicity, religion, and nationality explained

The 32-year-old flyweight fighter has his roots in Africa and was born in the Angolan capital city of Luanda. Besides his regional origins, Manel Kape is also of Portuguese descent, making him a dual national.

Born to Anglo-Portuguese parents, Kape had always been a Christian. However, he made massive headlines when he converted to Islam in January 2024. The real reason for his sudden change of mind is yet to be known.

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As for Manel Kape’s relationship status, for a long time, we thought that the Portuguese-Angolan fighter was single. He never mentioned anything about his girlfriend or wife anywhere. However, it was later revealed that Kape has a wife named Julia Kukharchuk. It isn’t known when they got married, but they have a child together.

Manel Kape has a daughter named Amy Kape. He once shared images of his daughter on social media, which was unexpected given that the 32-year-old mostly keeps his personal life private. Kape’s wife and daughter also attended one of his fights at the UFC Apex.

When it comes to ‘Starboy’s life growing up, there is also not much information available. However, we have some idea about when and how he started fighting. 

Manel Kape’s journey to becoming the first Angolan-Portuguese UFC fighter

The only known detail about the Portuguese-Angolan fighter’s beginnings is that he started his professional MMA career back in 2012. But what was he doing before that? Well, the answer to the question was provided by none other than Manel Kape himself.

During a Q&A session for the UFC, the 32-year-old fighter revealed that his father is a former world champion in boxing; as a result, he too started training in the sport back in Portugal when he was just four years old. Falling in love with combat sports soon, he then started training in MMA at 13. Since then, ‘Starboy’ hasn’t turned back and is now a part of the world’s biggest MMA promotion.

Now, as Kape prepares for his rescheduled bout with Brandon Royval on December 13, he does so not just as a fighter chasing another ranking leap, but as a husband, father, and representative of two nations watching him climb.