Supremely talented flyweight Manel Kape is officially back in the win column after scoring a fabulous third-round knockout on the main card of UFC Tampa last night. While UFC fans around the world are celebrating yet another impressive performance from ‘Starboy,’ the stoppage was sadly not enough to secure him as the next flyweight title challenger.
Manel Kape put on a masterful performance last night at UFC Tampa, battering Brazilian Bruno Silva from pillar to post before earning the knockout deep in the third round – the 12th KO/TKO win of his career. If it wasn’t obvious enough, the Portuguese Angolan ‘Starboy’ is desperate to secure a fight against champion Alexandre Pantoja, even beginning his petition to Dana White between the second and third rounds. UFC cameras managed to capture some of their cageside conversation, with White heard telling Kape to remain focused on the task at hand. “How did you know what we were talking about – that's fascinating,” joked White at the post-fight press conference. “I’m like ‘Let’s finish this one first, you’ve still got five more minutes’ – and he went out and did it.”
While White might have been impressed by both the confidence and performance of the #9 ranked flyweight, the UFC CEO was adamant about Kape not getting the next title shot. “No, he’s not getting a title shot but we’ll definitely give him what he’s looking for,” White stated. When pressed about who would challenge Alexandre Pantoja next after he defeated Kai Asaura the previous weekend, White simply replied, “No clue, sitting right here right now, no clue.” With Kape's focus solely on the title, it raises the question of what White could offer him if not Pantoja – perhaps there are plans to re-sign nemesis Muhammad Mokaev, who recently won his own return bout at Brave CF 91.
At the post-fight press conference, Kape jokingly claimed he’d go to White’s house to continue his title pursuit. “Me and Dana, we are neighbors, we live 10 minutes away from each other, so you know, if we don’t get [the opportunity] then I’m going to his home – I’m going to knock on his door.” Kape continued to express his readiness, noting, “I know my caliber, I know my skills. [It could happen] whenever Dana wants, I’m healthy, and Pantoja is healthy too… I’m ready to go in 2025.”
Before UFC Tampa’s dramatic night, Kape had previously lost his four-fight win streak by falling to Muhammad Mokaev via unanimous decision at UFC 304 Prelims. Nevertheless, he made the comeback of all comebacks against Silva, who was also on the ascent with four straight stops to his name. Kape dominated the fight from the get-go, often engaging Silva with powerful strikes and showboater—a strategy surely remembered by those who witnessed the high-paced action.
Over on social media, Kape's victory garnered waves of support from fans and fellow fighters alike who had begun calling for his title shot. UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad echoed sentiments from his peers, affirming, “That was a title shot worthy performance,” along with others urging Dana White to acknowledge Kape’s potential for championship status. Former fighter Jorge Masvidal remarked on X, labeling Kape as “Scary fast and mean.”
Kape’s rising recognition as a title contender also rekindles the stakes surrounding previous contenders. Although he might have entered his post-fight interview by trashing his rivals, including calling out Pantoja and referencing others like Brandon Moreno, he understood the long road still ahead.
“I’m the next one against Pantoja. I’m the one who can destroy Pantoja. Dana put me in a fight against Pantoja. I’m the new PPV star at Flyweight,” Kape boasted after his match, alluding to the possible stakes for his future encounters. For Kape, this match against Pantoja may hold the potential for redemption since they fought back at Fight Night 2021, where Pantoja emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
Despite the setback, Kape remains determined and focused on climbing to the top of the division. He now must navigate the rankings potentially facing Brandon Royval, Brandon Moreno, Kai Kara-France, or others positioned above him if he desires to challenge Pantoja for the title eventually. Yet, each confrontation he has, especially after such emphatic displays, only heightens the anticipation around Kape's capabilities.
While Dana White’s comments cast uncertainty on Kape’s immediate championship aspirations, the fighter’s performance at UFC Tampa has undeniably solidified his position as worth watching. Whether he secures the much-desired title shot or remains confined to the ranks below Pantoja, one fact is indisputable: Manel Kape is not done fighting for what he believes he deserves, and he’s perfectly ready to knock on doors—both literally and metaphorically—to prove it.
