Earlier than Manel Kape was one of many prime contenders within the UFC flyweight division, he was a RIZIN champion and one of many faces of the Japan-based promotion.
Kape received his title in a 2019 rematch in opposition to vaunted striker Kai Asakura after falling to him by break up determination only a 12 months and a half prior, as each fighters established themselves among the many greatest lighter-weight abilities on the earth. Now Asakura has joined Kape on the UFC roster, inking a deal to hitch the promotion following a powerful 21-4 document to start out a profession that features wins over former Bellator champions Juan Archuleta and Kyoji Horiguchi.
“He’s going to do nice,” Kape mentioned of Asakura when chatting with MMA Combating. “I feel he’s simply going to carry extra pleasure to this division, what this division wants, a younger prospect. He’s an excellent fighter.”
As a result of they break up a pair of RIZIN fights, Kape likes understanding Asakura is coming to UFC, as a result of that would probably arrange a rubber match between them sooner or later.
Maybe much more importantly, Kape believes it will be an excellent alternative for UFC to lastly return to Japan, the place he and Asakura have been each sizable attracts for RIZIN.
It’s been nearly seven years since UFC final traveled to Japan, however Kape guarantees placing him in opposition to Asakura on the prime of a card would function the right method to pack an area.
“Me and him, we now have a giant fan base in Japan,” Kape mentioned. “Positively, this is a chance for the UFC to carry again the UFC to Japan. We are able to put greater than 50,000 individuals in Saitama Area, like we did earlier than, like I did in the principle occasion in opposition to him after I turned a champion in 2020. We put like 44,000 or 45,000 individuals [in there]. It’s good to take this benefit.
“In fact, I assist this kind of massive battle in Japan. Only a good addition to this division. We wanted fighters like Asakura, like Manel Kape, like [Muhammad] Mokaev.”
As a lot as Kape wish to finally conclude his rivalry with Asakura now that they’re each UFC fighters, he can’t concern himself with that proper now.
At UFC 304, Kape competes in a possible No. 1 contender battle in opposition to undefeated flyweight Muhammad Mokaev, with the winner probably shifting on to face reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja.
That’s Kape desires to consider proper now, however assuming he wins on Saturday after which dethrones Pantoja later this 12 months, he welcomes the prospect to run it again with Asakura in 2025.
“It’s going to be an excellent story … subsequent 12 months,” Kape mentioned. “My objective proper now’s beat Mokaev after which battle for the title finish of the 12 months. Then subsequent 12 months we’ll discuss UFC Japan.”
