A flyweight title eliminator between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape has been booked for UFC 304 in Manchester. The event will be the first in the UK this year and is expected to feature either Tom Aspinall or Leon Edwards as the headliner.
Muhammad Mokaev Gets No. 1 Contender Fight
Muhammad Mokaev is at a tough spot in his career at the moment. The no.6 ranked flyweight is coming off a lackluster unanimous decision win over Alex Perez. Despite the fight not entertaining as many had hoped, Mokaev’s name was still in the title picture following the win. The flyweight division desperately needs contenders, and Mokaev’s six-fight win streak had his name at the forefront of receiving a title shot next. The UFC opted to skip him over for a title shot, giving no.10 ranked Steve Erceg a shot at the title. That move worked out for the UFC as Erceg gave champion Alexandre Pantoja a tough test at UFC 301. Mokaev has since hinted at his next fight at UFC 304, with an opponent finally revealed.
Manel Kape Steps Up to Face Mokaev
Muhammad Mokaev’s opponent for UFC 304 will be none other than Manel Kape. The news was announced by Home of Fight today on social media. The controversial Kape sits at no.7 in the flyweight division and provides an interesting test for the young Mokaev. Kape is the former Rizin Bantamweight champion and has fought the likes of Kyoji Horiguchi, Alexandre Pantoja, and Matheus Nicolau. Kape’s UFC run has been disappointing so far to say the least. With just a 4-2 record in the promotion, Kape has recently missed weight and pulled out of fights with Matheus Nicolau (on two separate occasions). While not all are his fault, Kape has had nine canceled fights in the UFC while fighting just six times. Regardless of his rough start in the UFC, Kape is a dangerous competitor that will give Mokaev the experience he needs going forward.
How do you think this matchup of top flyweights goes? Let us know in the comments below!
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