LAS VEGAS – Manel Kape thinks his work is done in his campaign to secure a title shot.
Kape (23-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC), a top contender in the flyweight division, picked up another KO win Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 279 at the Meta APEX. Kape avenged a 2017 loss to Horiguchi (36-6 MMA, 9-2 UFC) by putting the Japanese fighter away in the third round.
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Kape is now on a four-fight winning streak and 8-1 in his past nine bouts, making him undeniable – at least in Kape’s mind.
“It was enough,” Kape said at the UFC Fight Night 279 post-fight press conference when asked if he’s confident he’s secured a title shot. “Even last time when I fought Brandon Royval, it was enough. Everything I do in the cage was enough because I win spectacular – I finish the guys. But let them fight. I need to take some time off, take care of business, chill out with family and see my friends. I just want to rest a little bit.”
Kape seems fine with waiting for his opportunity. Many expect Alexandre Pantoja to get a rematch against champion Joshua Van sometime this year now that Pantoja is healthy from the arm injury he suffered just seconds into the title fight with Van last December.
In terms of Saturday’s win, Kape leaves the cage satisfied with his work. Apart from feeling his next bout will be for the title, Kape is also happy to avage his loss to Horiguchi. He feels he proved he’s evolved in this game.
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“When I was young, I was wild,” Kape said. “I was fearless. I was very wild. This time, I had to slow down and go for smart. Time gives you wisdom, always. Time gives you wisdom. That time (against Horiguchi), I was too young.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Manel Kape: Kyoji Horiguchi KO win enough for UFC title shot
