Manel Kape says he might not be a football fan but can still beat Khabib Nurmagomedov at the sport
Earlier this month, a video went viral where Khabib Nurmagomedov is seen quizzing UFC star Manel Kape about football.
The Russian asked him if he knew who won the UEFA Champions League final in 2005. That club was, of course, Liverpool; but Kape could not answer that.
The Champions League is the biggest competition in club football. And Khabib’s knowledge about the sport was on full display as he named every winner of the competition from 2005 to date.
And now, Kape has said in an interview that he can take Khabib in a 1-on-1 on the soccer field. He said in a UFC press conference:
“Of course me. I’m a better player, of course [when asked who would win in a 1-on-1 football match]. It’s not the knowledge… Of course, I know who won the Champions League, but I don’t know the dates… I just don’t know the dates. He know[s] the dates. He has the knowledge; the fan knowledge. I’m not a fan. I’m a player.”
The Portuguese-born flyweight fighter is scheduled to fight Brazilian Matheus Nicolau as a replacement for Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Fight Night 187 on Saturday.
Kape has fought just once in the promotion so far. He lost his debut fight against Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 184.
Fighting out of Thailand, he has a 15-5 professional MMA record and made quite an impression at Rizin Fighting Federation in Japan.
Kape would now be hoping to reproduce that form in the UFC and make a name for himself at 125.
Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates
