Manel Kape is officially out of UFC Vegas 91. The flyweight is being replaced by Alex Perez, with the main event being Perez against Matheus Nicolau.
Manuel Kape – OUT
Alex Perez – IN@NicolauMatheus vs @AlexPerezMMA is your NEW #UFCVegas91 Main Event ???? pic.twitter.com/d8Umh7yiNM— UFC (@ufc) April 2, 2024
Manel Kape (19-6) was originally supposed to have a rematch with Nicolau in January. However, that was axed after “StarBoy” missed weight by 3.5 lbs. Previously, Nicolau defeated Kape in a split decision in March 2021 and was the last fighter to defeat Kape. There was no specified reason for Kape being pulled. Perez was pulled from his match against Tagir Ulanbekov on June 15 to fight Nicolau.
What this means for Manel Kape
First, this means a missed opportunity for Manel Kape to exact his revenge on Nicolau. The flyweight was actually favored in the rematch, which boded well for him. However, it wasn’t meant to be as he got yanked for Alex Perez.
Furthermore, this isn’t the first time Kape has been pulled or had a match canceled. Some cancelations have been on the opponent’s end, while some have come from “StarBoy” missing weight.
Overall, this is a missed opportunity for Kape to get his revenge against Nicolau. Hoping to return to the octagon in 2024, his career is set back as he must wait to come back.
What this means for the fight
With Manel Kape out of the picture, it’s certainly an opportunity for Alex Perez (24-8) and Nicolau to rebound themselves. Identically, Perez is on a three-match losing streak, while Nicolau (19-4-1) previously lost to Brandon Royval.
Moreover, it’s a chance for both fighters to showcase their talents. Perez is a solid wrestler, wearing down his opponent effectively while combining his grappling with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Identically, Nicolau is an orthodox fighter, using his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style to take down opponents.
This main event will be a statement match for both fighters looking to bounce back. If Nicolau wins, he gets back on track and proves the Royval fight was a fluke. If Perez wins, he gets his confidence back and can build on said win.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
