2. Manel Kape vs Muhammad Mokaev
Although I went with the consensus for the first ranking, it would not be a Val Dewar list if the flyweights were below the heavyweights. Weight classes aside, Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev are both title-level fighters competing in a matchup which either man could win. There are sure to be interesting moments contested in a variety of positions given the dynamic – Kape will want to keep it standing while the Brit is the wrestler – and abilities of each fighter.
Kape is known for sharp striking, explosive power, and could be well-rounded enough to stop the wrestling attack of Mokaev, which none else have. He is proven as a scrambler and has only been submitted by Kyoji Horiguchi, arguably the best flyweight in the world today. And best of all is that explosiveness and timing. Mokaev had better watch out for knees as he level changes, but any strike from Kape can finish a fight. That is a rare trait at flyweight, and has made him must-watch TV since his RIZIN days.
Despite the Portuguese fighter’s clear advantage on the feet, Mokaev has tools to deal with him even if he cannot land normal takedowns. He is an expert chain wrestler and can get to the back without even landing a takedown. By shooting and re-shooting, the British Dagestani can tire opponents’ arms out and mess with their timing, like in the Alex Perez fight. Perez and Mokaev are veterans at folk and freestyle wrestling, respectively, with coaching credentials in each. Mokaev had a hard time taking Perez down in a lot of situations, but by using MMA wrestling to its fullest he was able to do enough to win the fight.
That decision was decided by a hair’s breadth, however, so Mokaev had better be progressing going into the fight with Kape. The good news is that Mokaev is only 23, but he has not changed his style at all since entering the UFC, nor rounded out his game much. He is a slight favorite but I personally think Manel Kape will win this fight. Mokaev will at least challenge for the throne at flyweight one day, but for now that honor will go to a Portuguese fighter for the first time in UFC history.
This fight is amazing and would have been better if scheduled for five rounds. It is a travesty that at the last minute the UFC moved a #1 contender fight this compelling to the early prelims for an unranked middleweight fight, no matter how much I love Gregory Rodrigues.
