Manel Kape defeated Ian McCall controversially during their clash at RIZIN

Manel Kape has to wait a few months before making his UFC debut but spoke about a rivalry.

The 26-year-old former RIZIN Champion was expected to fight at UFC 252. However, the UFC couldn’t find a replacement opponent for him and Kape also suffered an injury which pushed his debut back.

However, the 26-year-old was asked about his rivalry with Ian McCall during their RIZIN days. Kape was speaking exclusively to MMA Unhinged and reminded that there were some nasty remarks made about McCall’s mother and that he had slapped the back of McCall’s head.

Kape claimed this was all mind games and this led partly to his win:

“I just want to show him I am more superior than him, you know. This is like when the dad slaps the head of kid. He’s a kid, you know, I just want to show that I’m more superior than him.

“I know he is a very emotional fighter, I know he don’t come fight against me smart. If I provoke him, I know he will catch this and he will fight like crazy.

“You cannot come fight against me like crazy.”

Kape added that MMA has a rules and this isn’t a street fight. He went on to suggest that fighters have to be smart in the ring, and he did pick up the win.

Controversial ending to the fight

The fight between the pair was stopped after a cut on McCall’s head could not be dealt with. The retired MMA star was bleeding a lot from a cut and Kape was given the win.

However, there is a lot of controversy from where the cut came. Some have suggested that Kape’s knee and head led to the cut while McCall suggested that his head sliding across the ropes led to the cut.

Kape didn’t believe that one bit and hit out at his former rival:

“It’s f****** bull**** man. I will tell you something in any story of boxing, nobody cuts their head on the ropes.

“MMA, nobody cuts their head on the ropes.”

Kape added that ropes couldn’t do such damage and it was his strikes that led to it. The 26-year-old further claimed that McCall didn’t bring up this angle right after the fight, and he started using this after hearing it from some reporters.

The former RIZIN star also hit out at McCall’s exit from the UFC, and it will be interesting to see what he does in the Octagon.

Kape comes as a former RIZIN Champion and believes he has the tools to defeat Deiveson Figueiredo. The 26-year-old added that he would face the Flyweight Champion next year but first, he needs to get a few UFC wins under his belt.

This is an exclusive interview from MMA Unhinged. For more exclusive interviews and content please follow the link.

More UFC news

• Justin Jaynes recalls how Randy Couture helped him out and which WWE star he wanted to emulate

• “Rocky and Apollo” – Michael Chiesa opens up on Jorge Masvidal relationship and possibility of rematch

• Khamzat Chimaev wants Conor McGregor after “rat lip” comment

Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates