Manel Kape Repeats ‘Diaper’ Comment on Champion Joshua Van After Securing Massive Win

Portuguese star Manel Kape makes a statement by knocking out Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119.

Manel Kape Repeats ‘Diaper’ Comment on Champion Joshua Van After Securing Massive Win

Manel Kape once again calls out Joshua Van (via MMA Fighting, UFC)

Manel Kape delivered a dramatic third-round comeback victory over Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 119 inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The flyweight main event served as a rematch nearly nine years after their first meeting. After the fight, Kape quickly shifted into his trademark trash talk once again inside the cage. ‘Starboy’ called out UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van in his own sharp and humorous style.

The opening two rounds saw Horiguchi establish early control through sharp striking and disciplined range management. In the first round, he disrupted Kape’s forward pressure with clean counters and body kicks. He added takedown attempts that slowed the Portuguese star’s rhythm and limited offense. In the second round, ‘The Karate Kid’ kept steady combinations and smart defensive awareness.

The third round began with Kape increasing his pace and forcing Horiguchi backward with sharper counterstriking. He landed a clean right hand that shifted momentum and visibly hurt Horiguchi. Kape followed with ground pressure and the referee stopped the fight at 2:42 of the third round, awarding a third-round TKO. In the post-fight interview, Kape again targeted Van with a humorous “diapers” callout.

He’s my kid. I can’t wait to take his diaper.

Manel Kape via UFC Vegas 119 post fight interview

Kape also criticized Van’s title opportunity, arguing it was largely built on his win over Brandon Royval at UFC 317. He pointed out the bout came together on short-notice after he withdrew from the matchup due to injury. Kape highlighted the contrast in their performances against Royval as a key comparison. He noted that Van secured a unanimous decision, while he finished Royval in the first round.

The win over Kyoji Horiguchi marked Kape’s fourth straight knockout victory inside the UFC. Since his UFC 304 loss to Muhammad Mokaev, Kape has rebuilt momentum with a string of decisive finishes. He secured stoppage wins over Bruno Silva and Asu Almabayev in that stretch. These performances reinforced the striking dominance the Portuguese contender continues to demonstrate in the Octagon.

The rematch with Kyoji Horiguchi carried strong stakes after their 2017 meeting, in which the Japanese star won via submission at RIZIN. This UFC Apex fight gave Manel Kape a chance to settle the rivalry after nine years. It also showed how both had evolved in striking and fight IQ. Kape’s finish completed the redemption storyline. ‘Starboy’ now stands as a strong challenger for Joshua Van’s flyweight title.

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MMA coach claims Manel Kape’s sparring commands full attention inside the gym

MMA coach Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture has trained elite fighters, including two-time middleweight champion Sean Strickland. The champion’s pressure-heavy striking and defensive discipline reflect that coaching during his UFC run. Another key athlete is former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The Cameroonian star improved striking and composure under Nicksick, helping him win UFC gold.

Manel Kape
Manel Kape (via MMA Mania)

Nicksick has also played a major role in Manel Kape’s career at Xtreme Couture, helping refine his striking and overall approach. The MMA coach was involved during the hotel altercation between Kape and Muhammad Mokaev ahead of UFC 304. He recently revealed that Kape’s sparring sessions are so intense they often bring the entire gym to a standstill, highlighting the attention he commands in training.

Every time I watch this guy, I am just blown away man. I mean when he is sparring the gym stops and everybody sits here and watches. He is a champion through and through man.

Eric Nicksick via Home Of Fight

Kape’s development under Eric Nicksick has placed him among the most dangerous flyweight contenders. His striking evolution and consistency have been sharpened at Xtreme Couture. The attention his sparring draws reflects his growing impact in the gym. With momentum building, a UFC flyweight title shot now stands as a realistic next step.

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