Former Rizin FF champ Manel Kape calls out a former UFC champ for octagon debut

Manel Kape wants to go big game hunting in his UFC debut.

Kape (15-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), the former Rizin FF champion who signed a UFC contract last week, is already putting eyes on big names as he tries to make a splash from the outset in the flyweight division.

In his mind, there’s no better option that fighting another ex-champ who could soon also be trying to make a mark at 125 pounds. Cody Garbrandt (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) announced on Saturday he’s planning to drop down from bantamweight, and Kape was quick to greet him with a challenge (via Twitter):

My contract already save the 125 division in @ufc, let’s make Manel Kape vs @Cody_Nolove in my first debut!!!

Kape, 26, hails from Angola and has won four of his past five bouts. He’s finished his opponent in all but one of his 15 career victories, and wrote Garbrandt would be “easy money” to join his list of victims.

Garbrandt, 28, said he would be fighting at bantamweight one more time before moving down to flyweight. The former UFC titleholder has lost his past three bouts, but is hopeful to rebound in his next outing.

When that will be remains a mystery, though. The upcoming UFC schedule remains in limbo as the promotion attempts to navigate complicated waters during the coronavirus pandemic. Three events have already been postponed, and there’s a chance more will follow.