Former Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight champion, Manel Kape, will make his UFC debut later this year. Kape will step inside the Octagon to take on one of UFC’s flyweight top contenders in Alexandre Pantoja. The fight will take place on December 19 later this year at UFC Apex.
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MMA Junkie first reported the news. However, the UFC has not yet made an official confirmation of the same.
Kape signed a deal with the UFC earlier this year in March. The UFC debut of the fighter training out of AKA Thailand was earlier planned for August. However, his opponent Rogerio Bontorin couldn’t compete after suffering an ankle injury. Regardless, Kape will now hope that he can enter the Octagon come December.
Having made his MMA debut in 2013, Kape has seen his share of ups and downs. With notable wins over Erson Yamamoto and Ian McCall in 2017, Kape’s career seemed to be on a pretty good trajectory. However, losses in three of his next four bouts acted as a setback for him.
He turned the tide by going on a three-fight win streak, the last of which saw him win the RIZIN FF bantamweight title. He is now ready to make his mark in the UFC.
His opponent, Alexandre Pantoja, is coming off a loss against Askar Askarov earlier this year in June. He will hope to return to winning ways against Kape.
Leon Edwards vs Khamzat Chimaev will headline the UFC event on December 19
The December 19 event will witness rising star Khamzat Chimaev face the biggest challenge of his career against the #3 ranked Leon Edwards. ‘Borz’ has steamrolled through his opponents in his first three outings. As a result, his stock soared every time.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 26: Khamzat Chimaev of Czechia celebrates after his TKO victory over Rhys McKee of Northern Ireland in their welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 26, 2020, in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
On the other hand, Leon Edwards will be putting his eight-fight win streak on the line. However, he will be coming off a long layoff, with his last fight coming in July 2019.
Former bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes will make a quick turnaround on the card. His last fight ended in a knockout loss at the hands of Cory Sandhagen. Moraes will look to come back in the win column with a victory over Rob Font in December.
Read More: “He Can Stop Calling Everybody Out on Twitter” – Dana White Confirms Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards
