Manel Kape has wasted no time in targeting the new king of the UFC’s flyweight division. Fresh off his stunning first-round knockout of Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112, ‘Starboy’ has turned his full attention to newly crowned champion Joshua “The Fearless” Van, engaging in a fiery social media exchange that has all but confirmed the next title fight at 125 pounds.
The war of words began after Van, who won the title due to an injury to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323, discussed potential challengers with UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard. Kape seized the moment, declaring he would defeat both Van and Royval “in one night” and vowing to end Van’s championship “fairytale” before it begins.
The Callout: Kape’s Bold Social Media Challenge
Kape’s confidence is at an all-time high following his Performance of the Night victory over Royval. Taking to social media platform X, he directly addressed the new champion with a stark warning: “Before your fairytale even starts, I will put you to sleep. I will beat you and Royval in the same night.”
This bravado is characteristic of Kape, who has long sought a title shot. His decisive win over the #1 ranked contender, Royval, solidified his position as the division’s top challenger, making his callout impossible for the UFC to ignore.
Van’s Response: The Champion Accepts
Joshua Van, never one to back down from confrontation, quickly responded to Kape’s challenge. On the same platform, the champion acknowledged the callout, writing simply: “I see you Manel Kape.”
This brief but effective reply signals the champion’s willingness to make the first defence of his title against the most dangerous and in-form contender available. It sets the stage for a striker-versus-striker clash that promises fireworks, with Van’s relentless pressure meeting Kape’s explosive, fight-ending power.
The Flyweight Landscape: Other Contenders Loom
While the Kape fight appears to be the frontrunner, Van’s championship reign will have no shortage of challenges. The division boasts several other elite contenders waiting for their opportunity:
- Tatsuro Taira: The undefeated Japanese phenom also scored a major win at UFC 323, finishing former champion Brandon Moreno. He presents a dangerous grappling-based threat to both Van and Kape.
- Alexandre Pantoja: The former champion, who vacated the belt due to a severe shoulder injury, is expected to receive an immediate title shot upon his return, which is targeted for late 2026. Van has already expressed a strong desire for a “real” rematch with Pantoja to legitimise his title reign.
The UFC now faces an interesting matchmaking decision: book the hot Kape fight immediately or potentially create an interim title scene if Van waits for Pantoja’s lengthy recovery.
Analysis: A Stylistic Firefight in the Making
A potential bout between Joshua Van and Manel Kape is a fan-friendly style matchup. Both men are aggressive, technical strikers who prefer to keep the fight standing and hunt for finishes.
Van (15-1) would likely employ his high-volume, forward-moving style to pressure Kape, while Kape (22-6) would look to counter with the crisp, powerful boxing and explosive kicks that have led to 15 career knockouts. The clash of their contrasting approaches—Van’s relentless activity versus Kape’s calculated power—would make for a compelling and volatile title fight, likely destined for a Fight of the Night bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Manel Kape call out after his last win?
Immediately after knocking out Brandon Royval, Kape called out the new UFC flyweight champion, Joshua Van, on social media.
How did Joshua Van become UFC champion?
Van won the title at UFC 323 after his fight with then-champion Alexandre Pantoja was stopped just seconds into the first round due to a dislocated shoulder suffered by Pantoja.
What did Kape say he would do to Joshua Van?
Kape boldly claimed he would “put [Van] to sleep” and even stated he could defeat both Van and his previous opponent, Brandon Royval, “in the same night.”
Who else could challenge Joshua Van for the title?
Other top contenders include the undefeated Tatsuro Taira and the injured former champion, Alexandre Pantoja, whom Van has said he wants to rematch.
Has the fight between Kape and Van been officially booked?
Not yet. While both fighters have agreed to the fight publicly on social media, the UFC has not made an official announcement regarding date or event.
