Kape targets Van's boxing style after four-fight KO streak: 'I'll make it look easy'

Manel Kape is positioning himself as the undisputed next challenger for the UFC flyweight title, and he is making no attempt to hide his confidence. The top-ranked 125-pounder took to social media on September 20-21 to declare that champion Joshua Van’s fighting style is tailor-made for him to exploit.

Van (18-2) successfully defended the 125-pound championship in a rematch against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 on September 19, cementing his status at the top of the division. In his two title defenses, Van has faced wrestling-heavy opponents — finishing Tatsuro Taira and grinding through a five-round war with Pantoja. Kape, widely regarded as one of the sharpest strikers in the flyweight division, believes Van’s boxing-centric approach plays directly into his hands.

“The perfect style for me to paint a masterpiece,” Kape posted on X. “You’re all going to be surprised by how easy I make this fight look.”

Kape (23-7) arrives at this moment in career-best form. He is currently on a four-fight knockout streak, most recently producing a come-from-behind finish over top contender Kyoji Horiguchi — a result that reinforced his credentials as the frontrunner for a title shot.

The flyweight also drew attention with a pointed remark about fight-night weight. The California State Athletic Commission’s official figures showed Van weighed 145.8 pounds on fight night at UFC 331, a gain of 20.8 pounds after making the 125-pound limit at the official weigh-in. Kape signalled he intends to arrive even heavier. “Manel Kape; event weight 160 lb,” he wrote in a separate post — a figure that, if accurate, would represent a 35-pound rehydration advantage over his championship weigh-in.

No official matchmaking announcement has been made, but Kape’s ranking, his current momentum, and his public lobbying make him the most prominent name in the flyweight title picture heading into the final stretch of 2026.