Las Vegas, NV — Securing his third straight victory inside the octagon at UFC Vegas 66 was flyweight standout Manel Kape (18-6), who entered the night in the #12 position in the weight class.
That number will no doubt rise early next week, as Kape earned himself a unanimous decision win against David Dvorak, in a fight he all but dominated in.
What’s next for “Stayboy?” When a match-up with Brandon Royval was suggested to him back stage at the UFC Apex, Kape replied that “If it’s to be close to the title, everything interests me. But I don’t call out the names. I don’t call the names. I want somebody that’s farther, closer to the title and we can match, we can do a good fight. So whatever it is, whoever it is, it doesn’t matter to me.”
In terms of a timetable for his return, Kape noted that he likes to enjoy his time off, but it won’t be too long it seems. “Probably March I’ll be back again.”
The fight with Dvorak was spirited at times, with Kape doing a little showboating towards the end. In terms of where the performance stands in the former RIZIN talent’s career, he told media outlets including Cageside Press that “I didn’t finish this guy, so it’s not the best fight in my career. But it’s one of the best fights from today, tonight. I put in the work. Everything I did is here. Every dedication I put in in the gym. And I feel proud to represent my people, represent myself, and the people that love me.”
A particularly nasty kimura at the end of round one allowed Kape to escape bottom and finish the round strong. Kape thought he might actually break the limb.
“I think I was breaking his arm, but he showed that he has a lion heart, the spirit of sacrifice — he just showed that he don’t want to lose this fight. He showed that he wanted to be there, wanted to show himself, that he’s tough, but he paid the price for that.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 66 post-fight press conference with Manel Kape above.
