Manel Cape made historical past along with his end over Kyoji Horiguchi in the principle occasion of UFC Vegas 119, and holds the file for essentially the most knockouts in flyweight historical past with six knockouts. This victory additionally helped Cape avenge his previous loss to Horiguchi after they met at RIZIN in 2017, so there was quite a lot of consideration on this match, and “Star Boy” received in sturdy vogue.
“Clearly, a win is sweet for everybody,” Kape mentioned of the win throughout the UFC Vegas 119 post-fight press convention. “This win is revenge, so I’m very joyful as a result of every thing I’ve been engaged on has labored out.
“Once I was younger, I used to be wild. I used to be fearless. I used to be so wild. This time I’ve to decelerate and be smarter. Time provides knowledge. Time all the time provides knowledge. I used to be too younger then.”
Kape’s victory marks his fourth straight win general (all by knockout) and can finally put him ready to contend for UFC gold.
It additionally would not damage that Kape has already engaged in a public disagreement with present flyweight champion Joshua Bunn, after rumors surfaced earlier this 12 months that the 2 would conflict.
However whereas Kape would not essentially classify his rising rivalry with Van as a nasty factor, it is clear he is trying ahead to the prospect to smash it collectively within the Octagon.
“I do not really feel something” about Vann, Cape mentioned. “I simply beat somebody a lot better than him (in Brandon Roybal). My resume is a lot better than his. He is within the place he’s now as a result of I broke my foot. He took a step up in opposition to Roybal. It is a misplaced struggle, however in fact the knockdown took away the present. However I knocked Brandon Roybal out within the first spherical.
“No matter he can say, he is my baby. He cannot wait to get diapered.”
Cape, who hopes to finally surpass Derrick Lewis to grow to be the all-time chief in knockouts in UFC historical past, is assured he’ll do for Vann what he has accomplished for his six different opponents within the promotion.
“In fact (knock him out),” Cape mentioned. “completely.”
The one impediment standing in Kape’s path to a title shot was former champion Alexandre Pantoja, however he ended the struggle early within the first spherical as a result of a freak damage and misplaced the belt to Bunn.
Pantoja has since recovered and all indicators level to him being able to compete once more within the close to future, doubtlessly organising a rematch with Vann.
Kape admits he has accomplished sufficient to deserve his title shot, but when the UFC decides to draft Vann for the following struggle in opposition to Pantoja, he would not thoughts the delay.
“Sufficient was sufficient,” Kape mentioned of his win over Horiguchi to earn the title shot. “Even the final time I fought Brandon Roybal, that was sufficient for me. No matter I do within the cage, that was sufficient for me as a result of I delivered an enormous (knockout). I will end them off.”
“However allow them to struggle. I must take a while off. Get some work accomplished, calm down with my household, see my buddies. I simply need some relaxation.”
