Brandon Royval and Manel Kape are focused for a possible No. 1 contender’s bout as the primary occasion for an upcoming UFC Struggle Evening card scheduled on March 1 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
A number of individuals with data of the promotion’s plans confirmed the combat was within the works when talking to MMA Combating, though no contracts have been issued or signed. Ag. Struggle initially reported the bout.
Royval additionally posted in regards to the combat on social media whereas addressing his hopes to earn one other title shot after already going through reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja on two separate events.
“On the finish of the day, I obtained the hardest résumé since I signed to the UFC,” Royval wrote. “Y’all going to study to place some respect on my title. Solely high 10 fighters. 4th primary occasion in a row.”
Since falling to Pantoja in 2023, Royval has rattled off two spectacular wins in a row with onerous fought determination victories over former champion Brandon Moreno after which beating beforehand undefeated prospect Tatsuro Taira.
In the meantime, Kape additionally addressed the combat on social media with out mentioning Royval by title.
“He needs to be quiet, he gained’t combat for the belt,” Kape wrote in response to Royval initially calling for a right away title shot. “It will likely be with me, he’ll do what we’re telling him to do. March 1 primary occasion.”
He needs to be quiet, he will not combat for the belt. It will likely be with me, he’ll do what we’re telling him to do.
March 1 Major occasion https://t.co/rXOMB8awJG— マネル・ケイプ موسى Manel Kape (@ManelKape) December 21, 2024
Following a disappointing outing in opposition to Muhammad Mokaev again in July, Kape placed on a stunning show beating Bruno Silva by third-round stoppage on the UFC Tampa occasion that closed out 2024. Total, Kape is 5-1 in his previous six fights with hopes that another win might lastly earn him a shot at UFC gold.
