Outside Source
Manel Kape’s UFC debut is set for August.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that the former RIZIN bantamweight champion will take on Rogerio Bontorin at UFC 252. A location has yet to be announced for the event but it’s expected to take place in the U.S.
Brazilian outlet Combate was first to report the booking.
After dropping three of four from December 2017 to December 2018, Kape has bounced back in a big way. “Prodigio” picked up second-round finishes of Siichiro Ito, Takeya Mizugaki and, most recently, Kai Asakura to become the RIZIN 135-pound champion. Kape appeared on a past episode of MMA Fighting’s What the Heck to confirm his plans to compete in the UFC’s flyweight division.
Bontorin looks to bounce back after having his four-fight winning streak snapped by Ray Borg at UFC Rio Rancho in February. The 28-year-old picked up was victorious in his first two octagon appearances over Magomed Bibulatov and Raulian Paiva after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.
UFC 252 will be headlined by the third meeting between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier for the heavyweight championship.
This article first appeared at MMA Fighting – All Posts
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