[REVISION HISTORY]

Joshua Van and Manel Kape trade insults ahead of potential K

Updated 28 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-30 21:24 UTC → 2026-10-16 14:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following his successful title defense against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331, flyweight champion Joshua Van has entered a social media dispute with top contender Manel Kape. While an official bout between the two has not been announced, the fighters have begun building tension through public exchanges. Van initiated the confrontation by advising Kape to begin his weight cut immediately to prevent potential excuses during the fight. Kape responded by accusing Van of ‘hiding from competition’ and suggested that his current weight would enable him to finish the fight quickly. The exchange escalated as both fighters traded insults regarding their professional readiness and personal lives. In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, Kape provided more specific details regarding the potential matchup, suggesting a January 2027 window for the championship bout. While a December fight had been previously discussed, Kape indicated that January appears more likely. Kape asserted that he is the next in line for the title, claiming his skill and power levels are superior to Van’s. He characterized the potential fight as being ‘too easy,’ predicting that Van will be too slow in his striking. Comparing the expected dynamic to the matchup between Anderson Silva and Forrest Griffin, Kape claimed he possesses the strategy and knowledge necessary to overcome the champion.

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