Manel Kape doesn’t foresee a change in the UFC flyweight title at UFC 327.
Kape (22-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC), a leading contender in the division, believes Joshua Van will keep his title at the April event, considering Tatsuro Taira’s fighting style.
Kape’s Analysis of Van vs. Taira
“It’s an interesting fight,” Kape told MMA Junkie. He questions whether Tatsuro Taira possesses the necessary aggression on the feet to defeat Joshua Van.
Kape stated that to beat Joshua, you have to be very aggressive. Kape referenced Van’s previous fight against a Japanese fighter, highlighting his takedown defence. He noted that Rei Tsuruya is more aggressive than Tatsuro Taira in terms of takedowns and pushing forward.
According to Kape, Tatusro Taira’s style involves less aggressive striking and more aggression on the ground, however, the fight starts standing. Kape stated he is going with Joshua Van.
Kape’s Missed Opportunity Against Van
Kape and Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) were offered a short-notice fight against each other, but it didn’t materialise. They have differing opinions on why the fight fell through.
Kape maintains he couldn’t make championship weight on such short notice. The offer came when Kayla Harrison had to withdraw from her UFC 324 title fight against Amanda Nunes due to neck surgery.
“It was impossible to make that fight in two weeks – to make the weight,” Kape said. He added that he becomes very heavy after fights. He walks around in the cage at almost 158, 159 pounds. He said he didn’t even decline, but the UFC nutrition team said he couldn’t make the weight.
Kape’s Future Plans
Kape is scheduled to rematch Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 on June 20. The winner will be in a strong position to face the winner of Van vs. Taira.
“I think flyweight division, right now, is the best division in the world,” Kape said. He believes his fight on June 20 will generate more buzz than the Van vs. Taira fight in April.