UFC Fight Night tips: Flashy flyweights face off as Alex Perez takes on Manel Kape
- Liam Hampton
- 24 March 2023
Two men on different title trajectories square off in San Antonio as flyweights Alex Perez and Manel Kape go head-to-head.
Perez and Kape are currently ranked six and nine in a division where the champion has just completed a four fight series with the man ranked at number one. Clearly, its time to see some new blood take on the flyweight champion.
Getting back into the cage will be a blessing for Perez in itself. Eight fight cancellations have resulted in him only appearing once in the past three years, with his last fight being a losing effort to Alexandre Pantoja.
The Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series graduate has four finishes in his six UFC wins and is a must-see attraction at flyweight.
By contrast Kape has been as active as possible whilst Perez has been sidelined.
Debuting in 2021 as the former RIZIN champion, Kape dropped his opening two matches to Pantoja and Matheus Nicolau, but "Starboy" fought back to defeat Ode Osbourne and Zhalgas Zhumagulov by first round knockout.
This led him to David Dvorak last December, with Kape defeating the iron chinned Czech by unanimous decision, leaving the crowd wondering how he managed to survive that long.
With confidence through the roof and on a three fight winning streak, Kape is expected to defeat Perez and make his claim for a top five opponent.
With some of the most flashy and effective striking in the division, Kape will look to make this a signature performance as he continues to climb the flyweight ladder.
Key Stats
Manel Kape's two UFC finishes came in the final minute of the first round.
Alex Perez has been finished in all three of his UFC losses.
Suggested Bet
Manel Kape to win by KO/TKO.
