The UFC‘s flyweight division is going to see an upgrade in August as Rizin flyweight champion, Manel Kape (15-4), makes his UFC debut per MMA Junkie. For the last couple of years, the flyweight division has been extremely shallow with talent. Now, we are starting to see some positive momentum for a division the UFC was close to shutting down recently.
Kape will be making his debut against Rogerio Bontorin (16-2, 1 NC) in August. Bontorin is currently the ninth ranked flyweight in the world, so this is not going to be an easy first fight for the Rizin champ. Kape is no stranger to UFC talent as he holds wins over UFC veterans, Ian McCall and Takeya Mizugaki.
New talent for the UFC’s flyweight division
Kape is an exciting fighter who can win in all stages of the fight. Kape is a natural finisher who has only seen the judges scorecards three times in his career, losing two of those. In his 15 wins, nine have come by knockout, and five have come by submission. Kape is going to be a guy who can climb to the top of the division quickly if he’s able to win in August.
Bontorin made his debut in the UFC last year after winning on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. The Brazilian won his first two fights before droppingĂ‚Â a contest to former title challenger, Ray Borg. A win over Kape would be massive in Bontorin’s ambitions to climb in the UFC‘s flyweight division.
If this fight stays on the feet, you will have to think that Kape has the massive advantage. Kape has tremendous striking, and Bontorin is viewed more as a ground specialist. UFC 252 will be a big night for the flyweight division. The UFC has seen a big surge in African born fighters over the last couple of years, and Kape could be on his way to being the next big-time African fighter if he’s able to win at UFC 252.
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