Manel Kape

Fighter Facts

• Pro since 2012
   
• 11 wins by KO, five by submission (3 RNC, 2 armbar)
   
• Nine first-round finishes
   
• Has won five of his last seven and two in a row
   
• Owns KO wins over UFC vets Takeya Mizugaki and Ian McCall
   
• Also faced Kyoji Horiguchi and Yuta Sasaki
   
• Origin of nickname: “As an amateur I always fought with fighters older than me and I won.” 

UFC History
UFC on ESPN (12/4/21) Kape stopped Zhalgas Zhumagulov via strikes at 4:02 of the first round
UFC 265 (8/7/21) Kape knocked out Ode' Osbourne at 4:44 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (3/13/21) Kape lost a three-round split decision to Matheus Nicolau
UFC Fight Night (2/6/21) Kape lost a three-round unanimous decision to Alexandre Pantoja

Q&A

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training in Portugal when I was four years old in boxing, because my father is a former world champion in boxing. I started training in MMA at 13 years old.
What ranks and titles have you held? RIZIN - World Champion (Japan), KOC - Champion (France). Invictus Pro league - Champion (Portugal), Vigo Luchas - champion (Spain) 
Do you have any heroes? My mother.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC means everything - my dream, my goal, my revenge against people that doubted my skills and my determination. I always knew that I’d be here, so I’m grateful.
What was your job before you started fighting? Sometimes I worked in security (bars, restaurants). 
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Award - The best amateur MMA fighter in Portugal (ADC tournament). Threetimes the best fighter of the tournament. Record 10-0 
Favorite grappling technique: Flying triangle 
Favorite Striking technique: Body punch