Joshua Van, the UFC flyweight champion from Myanmar, has a new challenger in Manel Kape, who knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 119.
Manel Kape dismissed Van with some pointed words after the fight, calling him 'my kid' and stating he can't wait to take his title.
What happened at UFC Vegas 119?
Manel Kape knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi, avenging a 2017 loss and setting a new record for most knockouts in flyweight history with six.
The win marked Kape's fourth consecutive knockout and validated his evolution as a fighter.
Why it matters for Joshua Van
Kape argued his résumé trumps Van's path to the belt, noting he knocked out Brandon Royval in the first round while Van earned a controversial decision over the same opponent.
The rivalry between Kape and Van heated up earlier this year when the two were rumored to face each other before the bout fell through due to a foot injury.
What comes next for Manel Kape and Joshua Van?
Former champion Alexandre Pantoja remains the likely next challenger, but Kape said he welcomes the delay and is confident he can knock Van out.
Kape stated he needs to take some time off to take care of business and chill out with family and friends.
And when asked if he would knock Van out, Kape was direct: "Of course. Definitely."
Manel Kape's win at UFC Vegas 119 on February 2024 set him up for a potential title fight against Joshua Van.
The UFC flyweight division is heating up with new challengers emerging, and Van will have to defend his title against tough opponents like Kape.
So the question remains, can Van hold on to his title or will Kape's knockout streak continue?
But for now, Kape is focused on taking care of business and preparing for his next fight.