Manel Kape claims champion Alexandre Pantoja made Muhammad Mokaev ‘tap a lot’ in sparring ahead of UFC 304

The bad blood between Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev just intensified going into the fight at UFC 304

Manel Kape claims champion Alexandre Pantoja made Muhammad Mokaev ‘tap a lot’ in sparring ahead of UFC 304

Manel Kape talks about Alexandre Pantoja sparring with Muhammad Mokaev (via Imago/ X)

Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev are scheduled to fight each other at 304 in a much-anticipated flyweight bout. Given their history, the bad blood between the fighters is quite evident. Ahead of UFC 304, Kape has now made some revelations regarding Mokaev’s sparring session with the champion Alexandre Pantoja. 

Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev don’t like each other at all. Even after Kape cleared out the rivalry and accepted Mokaev as his Muslim Muslim brother, their last interaction said otherwise. Both fighters got into a heated brawl at the Fighter Hotel in Manchester. Continuing the animosity, during the pre-fight presser, ‘Starboy’ gave fans an insider scoop about Mokaev sparring with Pantoja.

Pantoja can say a lot of things of him because they trained before together, and I know Pantoja had been submitting him a lot, a lot. He tap a lot. It’s the reason that Mokaev don’t go train more at ATT
Manel Kape via UFC 304 post-fight presser 
YouTube video

Kape questioned Mokaev’s ability to perform against top flyweights in the division. The Portuguese fighter also mentioned that it’s too early for the Brit to fight for the title. The former RIZIN fighter also promised that at UFC 304, he will make it quick and clinical against Mokaev to prove his points.

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The bad blood between Kape and Mokaev has been going on for a long time now. A few months ago, Kape’s training partner Jean Silva mentioned Kape injuring Mokaev in a street fight. Since then, Kape has refuted the statement by mentioning that the story was made up. However, this time, the brawl wasn’t made up and was captured on cameras.

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Muhammad Mokaev talks about training with Alexandre Pantoja and getting recognition

Muhammad Mokaev is undefeated in his professional career and has won six fights in the UFC. The young fighter is #6 ranked in the flyweight division and has frequently called for a title shot. At 23 years old, the ‘Punisher’ has also accused UFC of protecting Jon Jones’ youngest champion record. 

Muhammad Mokaev
Muhammad Mokaev (via X)

On top of it, many, including Manel Kape, have shown doubts regarding the potential of Mokaev in the flyweight division. However, Mokaev is unfazed by the criticism and knows what he’s capable of. The Dagestani-British fighter in an interview with TNT Sports, talked about training with Alexandre Pantoja and getting high praise from the champion. 

Sometimes who actually understand UFC, they don't say this [negative comments]. But you know the Jake Paul fans - they will never understand, there is no point to explain to them… everybody knows where I'm up to. Even the champion, I have trained in the past with Pantoja. He said himself 'this is the future superstar' in the gym
Muhammad Mokaev via TNT Sports 
YouTube video

The fight between Mokaev and Kape will take place in the early prelims at UFC 304. It was previously on the main card but was later shifted. Mokaev had joked about him being a boring fighter, which might have something to do with these changes.

It will be Mokaev’s last fight of his UFC career, and a win will definitely help him during the negotiation of a new one. Furthermore, a win over Kape could propel him to a title shot. As such, all eyes are not set on UFC 304, which will go down this weekend. 

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