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Star performance in easy win
Kape defeated Bruno Silva via TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
ANALYSIS
This was the exact type of performance we have been waiting to see from Kape since his February 2021 UFC arrival. He looked like the best flyweight in the world on this day, destroying an overmatched Silva on the feet and doing so in emphatic fashion. He played to the crowd and spent a good chunk of the time in between rounds campaigning UFC President Dana White for a title shot. The good news for Kape is given the lack of depth at the top of the flyweight division, he has a good case. At most, Kape, who has won five of six dating back to August 2021, should need no more than one more big win to earn his shot at UFC gold.
This was the exact type of performance we have been waiting to see from Kape since his February 2021 UFC arrival. He looked like the best flyweight in the world on this day, destroying an overmatched Silva on the feet and doing so in emphatic fashion. He played to the crowd and spent a good chunk of the time in between rounds campaigning UFC President Dana White for a title shot. The good news for Kape is given the lack of depth at the top of the flyweight division, he has a good case. At most, Kape, who has won five of six dating back to August 2021, should need no more than one more big win to earn his shot at UFC gold.
Looks to rebound in December
Kape will take on Bruno Silva in a flyweight matchup at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kape recently had a four-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of a tough customer in Muhammad Mokaev last July. Despite a solid record, Kape still has a lot to prove to Dana White and UFC brass, as the Mokaev fight was a complete snoozer that didn't win either man any fans (and even led to Mokaev's release). Kape will now have to hold off Silva, a balanced striker/grappler who currently holds the No. 12 spot in the division's rankings.
Kape recently had a four-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of a tough customer in Muhammad Mokaev last July. Despite a solid record, Kape still has a lot to prove to Dana White and UFC brass, as the Mokaev fight was a complete snoozer that didn't win either man any fans (and even led to Mokaev's release). Kape will now have to hold off Silva, a balanced striker/grappler who currently holds the No. 12 spot in the division's rankings.
Again fails in big spot
Kape lost to Muhammad Mokaev via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 304 on Saturday in Manchester, England.
ANALYSIS
A fight which began with a ton of bad blood between these two ended up being a total snoozer. Kape did a nice job defensively, defending 5-of-8 takedown attempts and only allowing 2:11 worth of control time to Mokaev, but he landed just 20 significant strikes over the course of 15 minutes. It was shockingly low output from a guy that was expected to have a massive edge on the feet, and it simply wasn't enough to get the job done. Kape has far more ability than his 4-3 career record in the UFC would lead you to believe, but he's had zero success against better competition. There's room for immediate advancement in a thin flyweight division, but Kape certainly hasn't take advantage of the opportunity.
A fight which began with a ton of bad blood between these two ended up being a total snoozer. Kape did a nice job defensively, defending 5-of-8 takedown attempts and only allowing 2:11 worth of control time to Mokaev, but he landed just 20 significant strikes over the course of 15 minutes. It was shockingly low output from a guy that was expected to have a massive edge on the feet, and it simply wasn't enough to get the job done. Kape has far more ability than his 4-3 career record in the UFC would lead you to believe, but he's had zero success against better competition. There's room for immediate advancement in a thin flyweight division, but Kape certainly hasn't take advantage of the opportunity.
Facing Mokaev in July
Kape will fight Muhammad Mokaev in a flyweight bout at UFC 304 in Manchester, England on July 27, per Jed Meshew of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Kape will head into Manchester riding a four-fight win streak in UFC. "Starboy" will be put to the test, taking on the unbeaten Mokaev with both a size and reach disadvantage. The five-foot-five Angolan should not be counted out, however, as his 11 professional wins by KO/TKO show his considerable stopping power.
Kape will head into Manchester riding a four-fight win streak in UFC. "Starboy" will be put to the test, taking on the unbeaten Mokaev with both a size and reach disadvantage. The five-foot-five Angolan should not be counted out, however, as his 11 professional wins by KO/TKO show his considerable stopping power.
Won't fight Nicolau
Kape won't fight Matheus Nicolau on April 27 in the main event of UFC Vegas 91 and will be replaced by Alex Perez.
ANALYSIS
The reasons for Kape's withdrawal are unclear, but this means his return to the octagon is being delayed -- again. Now, there's no sign as to when Kape will be fighting again. He owns a 19-6 record as a pro and 4-2 at the UFC level. For what is worth, Kape has had many fight cancellations in the last couple of years, leaving him to fight only once in 2022 and once more in 2023.
The reasons for Kape's withdrawal are unclear, but this means his return to the octagon is being delayed -- again. Now, there's no sign as to when Kape will be fighting again. He owns a 19-6 record as a pro and 4-2 at the UFC level. For what is worth, Kape has had many fight cancellations in the last couple of years, leaving him to fight only once in 2022 and once more in 2023.