Manel Kape
Awards & Honours
3
Awards Won
2
Honours
1
Rankings
2
Covers
1
Records
Manel Kape's career highlights include winning the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix in 2019, a tournament that established him as one of the top bantamweights outside the UFC. He successfully defended the Rizin title against Kai Asakura, one of Japan's top fighters. In the UFC, he has climbed to #2 in the flyweight rankings, proving himself against tough competition. His four-fight win streak from 2023 to 2024 showcased his growth and earned him a title shot. Kape's performance at UFC 314, where he submitted Bruno Silva, demonstrated his evolving ground game.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
UFC Flyweight #2 Ranking
Ranked #2 in the official UFC flyweight division rankings as of December 2025.
Performance of the Night
Earned a $50,000 bonus for his submission win over Bruno Silva at UFC 314.
Rankings & Lists
UFC Flyweight Rankings
Magazine Covers
MMA Fighting
2025-01-01
Manel Kape: The Starboy's Path to Gold
Combate
2025-03-01
Manel Kape: O Caminho para o Cinturão
Records & Feats
First Angolan-born fighter to fight for a UFC title
Kape fought for the interim UFC Flyweight Championship in January 2025, becoming the first fighter born in Angola to compete for a UFC title.