UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape`s path towards a title shot has encountered a significant setback ahead of his planned return at UFC 317.
Manel Kape and former UFC title challenger Brandon Royval were originally slated to face off in a pivotal matchup at UFC 317 later this month. This fight was widely considered a No. 1 contender bout, with both fighters aiming for an opportunity to challenge the reigning UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja himself is scheduled to compete against Kai Kara-France in the co-main event of the same UFC 317 card.
Kape also shared graphic footage of the injury occurring during sparring.
However, just weeks before UFC 317, misfortune struck Kape`s training camp. During a recent sparring session at Xtreme Couture, Kape suffered a fractured right foot, which unfortunately necessitated his withdrawal from the highly anticipated bout against Royval.
This injury represents a considerable obstacle in Kape`s title aspirations, especially after his impressive performance earlier this year where he finished Asu Almabayev in a main event fight.
Manel Kape Details Injury and Withdrawal
In a recent post on *Instagram*, Kape addressed his followers directly regarding his withdrawal from UFC 317.
Kape stated, “I suffered a foot fracture during the training and, after medical evaluation, I was instructed to have surgery and focus 100% on recovery. It’s not easy to step away from something I’ve prepared for with such dedication, and without a doubt this would be the most advantageous fight of my career but I understand that this is just another challenge on the way and I trust the plans that Allah has for me!”
In the same social media post, Kape included graphic video footage capturing the exact moment he broke his foot during a sparring session while preparing for UFC 317. Reports indicated a distinct ‘crunch’ sound was audible after Kape landed a right leg kick on his training partner.
As of now, the expected duration of Kape`s recovery and time away from competition remains uncertain. This incident marks the eleventh time a fight involving Manel Kape has been canceled during his tenure with the UFC.
Prior to this injury, Kape had been on a strong run, securing consecutive victories since his loss to Muhammad Mokaev in July at UFC 304. He achieved a knockout victory over Bruno Silva at UFC Tampa before securing the main event win against Almabayev.
With Kape out, Royval will now face a rapidly ascending flyweight talent who recently competed at UFC 316.
Joshua Van Steps In to Face Brandon Royval at UFC 317
Joshua Van has been announced as the replacement for the injured Kape, stepping in to face Brandon Royval on the main card of UFC 317 later this month. Van is coming off an impressive performance at UFC 316 just last Saturday, where he secured a knockout victory over Bruno Silva, continuing the 23-year-old`s swift ascent in the flyweight division.
Van, who holds the distinction of being the first fighter from Myanmar in UFC history, is currently on a four-fight winning streak since his loss to Charles Johnson last July. His UFC record stands at 7-1, featuring recent wins against notable opponents like Rei Tsuruya, Cody Durden, and Zhalgas Zhumagulov.
Securing a win against Brandon Royval would undoubtedly significantly position Van for a potential title challenge against the winner of the Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France bout, further accelerating his remarkable rise in the division.
Gareth Pendleton