Kape targets early finish against Van at UFC 336, citing champion's inexperience

Manel Kape has put UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van on notice, claiming he has spotted weaknesses in the champion’s game that previous opponents failed to use — and that he intends to exploit them for an early finish at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Kape (23-7) challenges Van (18-2) for the 125-pound title riding a four-fight finishing streak, and the Angolan contender is confident that momentum will carry into the championship rounds — or, ideally, well before them.

“The game plan is very easy,” Kape told MMA Junkie. “I know a lot of mistakes he had for the lack of experience, for not being too long in this sport, and I just think that so many guys didn’t exploit that.”

Kape acknowledged Van’s boxing ability and durability but argued those qualities have masked flaws that a more experienced challenger can expose. He believes he is capable of matching Van in the striking exchanges while simultaneously preventing the champion from settling into the kind of brawl that suits him.

“I can see things that can make me going for the finish early than I expect,” Kape said. “So, I’m definitely going to surprise him, and then I can tell it’s going to be frustrating because he likes to have these brawl fights.”

The fighter nicknamed “Starboy” was emphatic about who will control the rhythm of the contest. “We’re not going to get to that position because I’m going to dictate the pace,” he said. “I’m going to dictate when we should go brawl, when we should go slow, and then when I can change the tempo of the fight.”

Kape also cautioned Van against any complacency that might come with a first UFC title reign, insisting that his own deeper experience in the sport gives him an edge in both skill and ring generalship. Whether that assessment holds up will be tested when the two meet in Toronto at the start of 2027.