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’s not my fault. I’m here doing my job.
“And again, Deiveson Figueiredo pulled out, Alex Perez pulled out, Kai Kara-France pulled out, all these fighters been pulling out. I’ve been doing my work. So after Asu, 100 percent I’m getting my title shot.”
As far as the change goes, Kape is not concerned with getting an opponent switch, technically speaking. Although that can throw off a lot of fighters, Kape sees it as an opportunity to cause even more damage than he originally planned for.
“I was supposed to fight Brandon Royval, he’s a taller guy,” Kape explained. “I was expecting to work him a lot on the body, the body shots, so I don’t have to reach too much his head. Asu is more short guy, so his head is going to be there and is a target. His chin is going to be there. His nose is going to be there, so I believe there’s going to be bad blood. His face is going to be a bunch of blood on Saturday night. He’s short, and he’s a good target for myself.”
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