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Manel Kape confident about Joshua Van fight after UFC 331

September 22, 2026Pablo Navarro1 мин

Manel Kape, a prominent contender in the UFC flyweight division, expressed certainty that Joshua Van will not pose a significant challenge. Kape's assessment follows Van's performance at UFC 331.

Joshua Van retained his UFC flyweight title at UFC 331, defeating Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch via unanimous decision. This victory marked Pantoja's second consecutive loss and extended Van's reign as champion.

The 24-year-old Van now faces a line of rising contenders vying for his championship. Among them is Manel Kape, who has secured four consecutive wins, all by knockout. His most recent finish was against former title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi in June at the UFC Apex.

Kape perceives Van's fighting style as advantageous for him. He shared his thoughts on social media following Van's title defense.

"You’re all going to be surprised by how easy I make this fight look," Kape stated. "The perfect style for me to paint a masterpiece."

Kape's power has drawn attention, with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier identifying him as a serious threat to Van's championship. A potential bout between Van and Kape was previously considered for UFC 328 but did not materialize.

The contrasting styles of Van's finesse and Kape's power suggest a compelling matchup for fight fans. Kape remains assured of his prospects despite Van's recent victory.