Manel Kape targets January 2027 UFC title fight against Joshua Van

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has expressed confidence regarding a rumored title fight against Joshua Van, suggesting the matchup could take place in January 2027.

In an interview with Daniel Cormier, Kape stated that while a December fight was previously discussed, January appears to be a more likely window for the championship bout. Kape asserted that he is the next in line for the title, noting that he believes his skill and power levels are superior to Van’s.

Kape characterized the potential fight as being ‘too easy,’ predicting that Van will be too slow in his striking. He compared the expected dynamic to the matchup between Anderson Silva and Forrest Griffin, claiming he possesses a level of strategy and knowledge that will allow him to overcome the challenger.