The MMA Road Show with John Morgan, No. 352: Manel Kape

Episode No. 352 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.

Episode No. 352 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.

MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan hosts the show while traveling the world to cover the sport.

Cold Coffee is still in quarantine, but that doesn’t stop him from sitting down with John Morgan to discuss the latest news in the sport. Morgan also shares an interview with UFC flyweight contender [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag].

Check it out on iTunes or at themmaroadshow.com. You can also subscribe via RSS.

UFC on ESPN 31 video: Manel Kape flurries for TKO, declares himself ‘best flyweight in the world’

Manel Kape put away Zhalgas Zhumagulov with a blistering combination in the first round at UFC on ESPN 31.

[autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] put away Zhalgas Zhumagulov with a blistering combination in the first round Saturday at UFC on ESPN 31.

The flyweight fight at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas was high-paced from the moment it began. Both men were swinging for the knockout, but it was Kape (17-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) who landed the first momentum-shifting shot when he cracked Zhumagulov (14-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC) with a big shot that staggered him.

Kape poured it on when he sensed his opponent was hurt, unleashing a endless stream of punches with Zhumagulov up against the fence until he went down and referee Keith Peterson halted the action at the 4:02 mark of Round 1.

Check out the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

After the win, Kape said he’s coming for the UFC flyweight title in the next year.

“Always when I say I will do something expect what I do,” Kape said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I’m here to be a champion and I will be that in 2022 if God permits me. I’m the best flyweight in the world.

Up-to-date UFC on ESPN 31 results include:

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UFC 265 ‘Fight Motion’: Watch Ciryl Gane’s title-winning finish of Derrick Lewis in super slo-mo

Check out the super slow-motion highlights from UFC 265, including clips of Ciryl Gane’s dominant finish of Derrick Lewis.

[autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] silenced any and all naysayers doubting his finishing instincts when he broke down [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] in the main event of UFC 265 last Saturday.

Gane (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) captured the interim heavyweight title with a third-round TKO finish of Lewis (25-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) in what was another masterful performance by the undefeated rising star.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] (30-7 MMA, 12-6 UFC) proved that he’s not slowing down any time soon when he put on a striking clinic against a tough [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC).

You can watch it all unfold in super slow-motion in the UFC 265 “Fight Motion” video highlights above.

Also featured are highlights of [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]’s “Performance of the Night” submission of Michael Chiesa, [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]’s “Fight of the Night” battle, [autotag]Jessica Penne[/autotag]’s slick submission of Karolina Kowalkiewicz, [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]’s flying knee knockout of Ode Osbourne, and much more.

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Manel Kape explains weight miss, promises to become flyweight champ

Take a look inside Manel Kape’s knockout of Ode Osbourne at UFC 265 in Houston.

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HOUSTON – [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] beat Ode Osbourne with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 265 in Houston.

Take a look inside the fight with Kape, who snapped a two-fight skid for his first UFC win – but was ineligible for a post-fight bonus because he missed weight.

UFC 265 post-event facts: Ciryl Gane’s beatdown of Derrick Lewis sets record numbers

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 265, which saw Ciryl Gane make history with his interim title win over Derrick Lewis.

[autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] produced the most statistically lopsided heavyweight title fight win in octagon history on Saturday in the UFC 265 main event.

Gane (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) punished [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) for nearly three full rounds en route to a third-round TKO that gave him interim belt and set up a title unification clash with Francis Ngannou.

For more on the numbers behind Gane’s win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 50 post-event facts to come out of UFC 265.

UFC 265 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Five fighters get at least $21,000

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 265 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $278,000.

HOUSTON – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 265 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $278,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 265 took place at the Toyota Center. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 265 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Song Yadong[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Vince Morales[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Drako Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Alonzo Menifield[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Ed Herman[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Jessica Penne[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Karolina Kowalkiewicz[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ode Osbourne[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Miles Johns[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Anderson dos Santos[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Melissa Gatto[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Johnny Munhoz[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jamey Simmons[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,985,000
Program-to-date total: $2,985,000

Former RIZIN champ Manel Kape notches first promotional win with violent flying knee KO at UFC 265

Manel Kape likely would’ve been a frontrunner for a performance bonus had he not missed weight.

With his back potentially against the wall, former RIZIN champion [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] finally picked up his first UFC win Saturday in Houston – and he did so in style.

Against Dana White’s Contender Series signee Ode Osbourne, Kape (16-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) landed a jumping knee that floored his opponent and ended the fight at the 4:44 mark of Round 1.

Although flying knee finishes often grace the UFC’s list of post-fight performance bonuses, Kape is ineligible to receive one due to struggles on the scale. At Friday’s weigh-in, Kape missed the flyweight limit by three pounds.

After the fight, Kape called for a performance bonus, possibly unaware of the rule. However, he was informed by UFC commentator and former dual champion Daniel Cormier about his disqualification from consideration.

With the win, Kape snapped the two-fight losing skid that kicked off his UFC career. Kape’s most recent four wins have all come by knockout or TKO.

For Osbourne (9-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), the defeat returns him into the loss column after a January win over Jerome Rivera. In his three UFC fights to date, Osbourne has competed in three different weight classes, ranging from flyweight to featherweight.

UFC 265 took place Saturday at Toyota Center. The main card streamed on ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

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UFC Fight Night 187 medical suspensions: Belal Muhammad faces 30 days after eye poke

Belal Muhammad isn’t facing a long time off after suffering a nasty eye poke against Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 187.

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Thankfully, [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] isn’t facing a potentially long medical suspension coming out of UFC Fight Night 187.

Muhammad’s first headliner vs. Leon Edwards was ruled a no contest after Edwards accidentally poked him in the eye 18 seconds into the second round of their welterweight fight. Visibly in pain, Muhammad was unable to continue and, as a result, the fight was stopped without a winner.

Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) was able to provide a positive update shortly after, stating that he suffered no permanent damage to his eye and was slowly starting to get his vision back. The medical report supports his claim as Muhammad will be prohibited from any contact for 21 days with no contest for 30 days, until he receives doctor clearance for his right eye.

MMA Junkie on Tuesday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC Fight Night 187 medical suspensions includes:

  • [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Belal Muhammad: Must have right eye cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 30 days; minimum suspension is 21 days.
  • [autotag]Misha Cirkunov[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Davey Grant[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: Must have left eye cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 30 days.
  • [autotag]Ashley Yoder[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until right ear is cleared by ENT.
  • [autotag]Marcelo Rojo[/autotag]: Must have maxillofacial bones fractures cleared by maxillofacial surgeon and left lamina papyracea cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ray Rodriguez[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until left fibula X-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Rafa Garcia[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow X-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until right foot and right hand X-rays are cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]J.J. Aldrich[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Gloria de Paula[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jinh Yu Frey[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Matthew Semelsberger[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jason Witt[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.

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UFC on ESPN+ 51: Manel Kape vs. Matheus Nicolau odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 51 fight between Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau, with MMA odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a flyweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau meet at UFC on ESPN+ 51 – also known as UFC Fight Night 187 or UFC Vegas 21 – at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The early prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, and then the main card on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN+ 51 odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Stream UFC on ESPN+ 51 on ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC on ESPN+ 51 Kape vs. Nicolau: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:22 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Kape -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Nicolau +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -140 | Under +115)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -105 | No -115)

Place your legal, online UFC on ESPN+ 51 sports bets in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

UFC on ESPN+ 51 Kape vs. Nicolau: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Records: Kape 15-5 | Nicolau 15-3-1

Fight result (2-way line or money line)

The Portuguese native KAPE (-135) lost a unanimous decision to Alexandre Pantoja in his UFC debut on Feb. 6, 2021, on the Overeem-Volkov card. Kape had registered three KO/TKO victories prior to arriving at the UFC level.

Nicolau will be making his second try at the UFC after going 3-1 in his first go-around, including a unanimous-decision win over Louis Smolka at UFC 219 on Dec. 30, 2017.

Kape is a powerful puncher and a well-rounded fighter who can also get it done on the ground. That versatility will serve him well against the black belt Nicolau, who will be looking to damage Kape with kicks to the calves. If Kape can limit the damage to his legs, he’ll win this one going away.

Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under (O/U)

Both of these young fighters are looking to stick around the UFC level for a while, and Kape is looking for his first-ever win with the company.

There will be nerves, as he tries for win No. 1, and Nicolau tries to get it right in his second go-around.

The books consider the distance bet a coin flip, but I think YES (-105) ‘WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE?’ is a tremendous play given the inexperience on both sides.

They will be careful, they will not do things to put themselves in danger, and I believe KAPE ON POINTS (+300) is worth a look, too.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Want some action on UFC on ESPN+ 51? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

MMA Junkie:

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Manel Kape feels ‘blessed’ to have trained with Khabib for UFC Fight Night 187

Ahead of his second UFC fight, Manel Kape learned from one of the greatest in Khabib Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of his bout at UFC Fight Night 187.

Kape (15-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) discussed his flyweight fight with Matheus Nicolau (15-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), what he can do differently from his UFC debut loss in his last fight, the viral soccer video with Khabib Nurmagomedov, learning from Khabib in camp, and more.

UFC Fight Night 187 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex. The entire card streams on ESPN+.

Watch the video above for Kape’s complete virtual media day availability.

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