Manel Kape and Bruno Gustavo da Silva, UFC Tampa ceremonial weigh-ins on the Amalie Enviornment, Dec. 13, 2024 Credit score: Jay Anderson/Cageside Press
Flyweight contender and former RIZIN champ Manel Kape seemed to bounce again from a loss to Muhammad Mokaev when he took on Brazil’s Bruno Silva at UFC Tampa on Saturday.
Silva had gained 4 straight, touchdown himself the #12 spot within the rankings. Kape, who noticed his personal four-fight win streak snapped in opposition to Mokaev, was sitting at #9. And with the champion Alexandre Pantoja in search of contenders, each fighters might inch that a lot nearer to a title shot with an excellent efficiency right here.
Silva was switching stances continuously, however Kape didn’t care and fired low kicks at each legs. This was one of many only a few matchups the place Silva wasn’t at a velocity benefit, and Kape let him know as he stored showboating after shot Silva missed. Silva landed a pleasant proper hand, however a low blow pressured a fast cease within the motion. Kape was touchdown two photographs for each one which Silva did. One other low blow from “Bulldog”, this one worse than the primary, pressured one other break, however no factors have been taken. The spherical ended with Silva going again to his nook with a bloodied nostril, down 10-9.
Kape constructed on his work from the opening spherical and was pulling away early within the second, however ate a giant shot from Silva as he was showboating once more. A 3rd low blow from the Brazilian had Kape grimacing in ache on the bottom and Keith Peterson took away some extent. Because the motion resumed, Kape feigned as if he was nonetheless damage, inviting determined swings from Silva who now undoubtedly wanted a end. Kape was touchdown each mixture he was throwing and began to showboat much more. It acquired to the purpose the place he took a knee proper in entrance of Silva, daring him to fireplace away. He lived as much as his nickname “Starboy” as he was giving the followers an excellent present of talent.
Spherical 3 opened with Silva going for broke and touchdown some large photographs on Kape that he one way or the other simply ate. The desperation out of Silva had Kape staying severe and cease the showboating. Kape observed Silva taking massive breaths between exchanges and attacked the physique. A kick that appeared to graze Silva’s cup pressured him to retreat. Kape, smelling blood, pounced on a compromised Silva to shut out the present.
This might need been the most effective efficiency from Kape within the UFC contemplating the extent of competitors and the good run Bruno Silva was on. He referred to as for a rematch with the champion Pantoja and time will inform whether or not he’ll get it or not.
In his post-fight interview Kape went off on Brandon Moreno, Kai Kara-France, Alexandre Pantoja and even Israel Adesanya.
Official Consequence: Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva by TKO (Spherical 3, 1:57)
