Manel Kape showed that he is willing to shake up the UFC flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg). The Portuguese fighter faced Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 112, held last Saturday (13), and needed only one round to knock out his rival, strongly establishing himself as a competitor to Alexandre Pantoja in the race for the belt, currently held by Joshua Van.
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With the victory, Kape reached his 22nd career win, securing his third consecutive victory and solidifying his position as a potential title contender in the division. Royval, on the other hand, suffered his ninth defeat, his fifth inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon.
Manel Kape knocks out Brandon Royval with a powerful right cross at UFC Vegas 112.
Manel Kape started the fight dominating the center of the octagon and punishing Brandon Royval 's leg with low kicks, while the American relied on constant movement and feints to try and confuse his opponent. More solid and aggressive, the Portuguese fighter always sought the most impactful strikes.
Midway through the first round, Kape cornered Royval against the cage and landed a powerful right cross, sending his opponent to the ground. Visibly stunned, Brandon tried to get up, but was caught again by the Portuguese fighter, who delivered two more precise blows to seal the knockout and end the fight.
UFC Vegas 112 results
MAIN CARD
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Manel Kape defeated Brandon Royval via technical knockout (punches) at 3:18 of round 1.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Kevin Vallejos defeated Giga Chikadze by knockout (spinning punch) at 1:29 of round 2.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Cezary Oleksiejczuk defeated Cesar Almeida by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Melquizael Costa defeated Morgan Charriere via knockout at 1:14 of round 1.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Kennedy Nzechukwu and Marcus Buchecha drew (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Catchweight (up to 72,5 kg): King Green defeated Lance Gibson Jr. by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Amanda Lemos vs. Gillian Robertson (Fight canceled)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Joanderson Brito defeated Isaac Thomson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Yaroslav Amosov defeated Neil Magny by submission at 3:14 of round 1.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Steven Asplund defeated Sean Sharaf via technical knockout (punches) at 3:49 of round 2.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Luana Santos defeated Melissa Croden by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Guilherme Pat defeated Allen Frye by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Jamey-Lyn Horth defeated Tereza Bleda by technical knockout (punches) at 2:05 of round 1.
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