UFC books Manel Kape – Alexandre Pantoja

SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 31: Manel Kape enters the ring prior to the bout between Ulka Sasaki of Japan and Manel Kape of Angola during the RIZIN. 14 at Saitama Super Arena on December 31, 2018 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

One of the best flyweights in the world will finally make his UFC debut on December 19th. Manel Kape (15-4) will make his promotional debut against Alexandre Pantoja (22-5) on the main card of the UFC’s fight night.

Kape is known as one of the best flyweights in the world. He enters the UFC after he was the Rizin bantamweight champion. There were questions around which weight class Kape would fight in whenever he made his debut with the UFC.

However, months ago, he stated that he feels like he can be champion at 125 pounds. Kape is extremely well rounded and he definitely has the skills to be a problem for anyone in the UFC‘s flyweight division. However, his first fight is not going to be an easy one.

Pantoja is currently ranked fifth in the UFC‘s flyweight rankings. In 2019, it appeared that Pantoja was well on his way to a title shot. That is before he ran into current flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo. Pantoja is now 1-2 in his last three fights inside the octagon.

UFC’s Fight Night

The UFC is putting together quite the show for their December 19th card. It was also announced this week that Stephen Thompson would be taking on Geoff Neal on that card. The card is already being headlined by Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards. 

However, Kape’s UFC debut is something that fight fans should really pay attention too. Kape is a very exciting addition for the UFC and this is brilliant match making. For hard core fans, they know that Kape is one of the best guys in the world.

Pantoja is an exciting fighter who’s already shown his worth inside the UFC. This should be a tremendously exciting matchup that’s the perfect way to introduce Kape. Either Kape wins and gets a huge boost to start his career in the octagon or Pantoja gets back on track with a massive win over the highly touted Kape.

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