UFC champ Joshua Van says Manel Kape 'lied' about fight offer
· Yahoo Sports
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van wants to set the record straight when it comes to things contender Manel Kape said recently.
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Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was recently booked for his first title defense against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327. It was a somewhat surprising move for some, considering Kape (22-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has a strong case for a title shot as the winner of three straight fights by stoppage, while Taira is on back-to-back wins.
Before Van's fight against Taira was set, he threw out a few feelers on social media, which prompted a response from Kape.
"We're all waiting for u to sign for March 7th," Kape wrote on X. "What's the delay? Pen out of ink or hands shaking?"
According to Van, that's not how things went down.
"I like Manel, you know what I mean? He's a good guy, it's just that he just lied too much, so I just want to put it out there," Van told MMA Junkie Radio. "I don't hate no fighters or nothing. I like the guy, I respect him. He's been in the game a long time, so I respect what he brings to the table, but in case of getting this fight and all this stuff he lied about, I just want to put it out there, that's all.
"He tried to act like I'm the one that didn't want the fight and this and that, you know what I mean? Even when they first offered and stuff like that. When they first offered it was two weeks, and then March 7 – I don't know what happened with him because my manager hit me up and Mick (Maynard) for the March 7, I was the one saying, 'Hey, let's go.' You know, it's whatever. He tried to turn it around on me and this and that. It's stupid, man. If you don't want to fight, just say you need more time or something. I don't like the fact that he's going around and saying all these things on Twitter or whatever."
Even though their paths will not cross at UFC 327, Van isn't worried because he believes it's just a matter of time before he faces Kape, and every other contender in the division, for that matter. While Van didn't appreciate how Kape publicly stated the fight talks unfolded between them, the flyweight champ reiterated it's nothing personal, and he holds no grudges.
Kape recently told MMA Junkie his next fight will be the UFC Vegas 119 main event against Kyoji Horiguchi. It's a rematch from their 2017 bout under the Rizin FF banner, which will likely produce the next title challenger.
Van is excited to mix it up with Kape in the octagon, even though that won't be the next bout for either fighter.
"I don't hate the guy," Van said. "I have nothing against the guy, it's just the fact that he lied, that's all."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC champ Joshua Van says Manel Kape 'lied' on social media