February 26, 2025 6: 15 pm ET
LAS VEGAS – Manel Kape is convinced he’s getting the next crack at the UFC flyweight title – even though he’s no longer fighting the No. 1 contender in the division.
Kape (20-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to the cage this Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 253, which takes place at the UFC Apex. He was supposed to fight top contender and former title challenger Brandon Royval, but due to injury, he’s now taking on replacement Asu Almabayev.
Despite the switch up, Kape is expecting to get a fight with champion Alexandre Pantoja, should he get a win over Almabayev (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC).
“Of course,” Kape said when asked if he still sees his fight as a title eliminator, speaking to reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Brandon pulled out. Winning against Brandon Royval, I would’ve been the No. 1 in the ranking. It