Manel Kape believes there is no longer any debate over who should receive the next shot at the UFC flyweight title following another highlight-reel victory.
Kape (23-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) extended his winning streak to four fights on Saturday night, knocking out Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 at the UFC APEX. The emphatic finish followed previous stoppage wins over Bruno Silva, Asu Almabayev, and Brandon Royval, strengthening his case for a championship opportunity against reigning flyweight champion Joshua Van (17-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC).
Speaking to reporters at the post-fight press conference, "Starboy" made it clear he believes he has already earned his title shot.
"It was enough," Kape said when asked whether his latest performance secured him a fight with Van. "It was enough. Even last time when I fought Brandon Royval, it was enough. Everything what I do in the cage, it was enough, you know, because I delivered it spectacularly. I finished the guys."
Despite his confidence, Kape said he isn't in a rush to return to competition.
"But let them fight. I need to take some time off, you know, take care of business, chill out with family, see my friends. I just want to rest a little bit."
Kape was also asked about the comments Van has made about him in recent months, but insisted he has no personal feelings toward the champion.
"Don't feel nothing, brother. Don't feel nothing. I just beat a guy way better than him. You know, my resume is way better than him. You know, he just started in a position there. That's because I broke my foot, you know, and he stepped ahead against Royval. A fight that he lost, but the knockdown stole the show, of course."
Kape then compared his own performance against Royval to Van's.
"But guess what? I knocked him out (Brandon Royval) in the first round. So, anything he can say is, he's my kid, you know, he's my kid and can't wait to take his diaper."
Asked if he believes he would knock out Van should the two meet for the title, Kape left little room for doubt.
"Of course," Kape said. "Of course. Definitely."
