SYDNEY – Kai Kara-France and Manel Kape had a fiery back and forth at the UFC 293 pre-fight press conference – more so than Kape and his actual opponent Felipe dos Santos.
Both Kara-France and Kape were originally scheduled to fight this Saturday in on the main card of UFC 293, but Kara-France was forced to withdraw from the fight due to injury, leaving Kape with dos Santos as a replacement.
Kape was not happy with the switch and made sure Kara-France felt it during the UFC 293 press conference where Kape insulted Kara-France, who was in attendance in the crowd, and even threw him a water bottle.
“The thing about that is that all I see is insecurities,” Kara-France said regarding the interaction with Kape when asked at the UFC 293 Q&A on Friday. “He’s obviously a bit unstable. He should be worried about his opponent that’s in front of him. Don’t worry about me. We’re not fighting.
“That’s probably the worst thing you can do, overlook your opponent. I know when I fought Cody Garbrandt, he was trying to fight Sean and not me. Similar situation. Focus on what’s in front of you. I feel like that fight will happen between me and Manel, but I’m just here to support my teammates.”
Kara-France was looking to snap a two-fight losing streak at UFC 293. Prior to the two defeats, Kara-France had three consecutive wins that had placed him as a title contender in the division.
The 30-year-old is confident it’s just a matter of time he finds himself knocking on the door of the title again.
“I feel like the next one in line is going to be Brandon Royval,” Kara-France said regarding the title picture. “He’s probably the next in line. But whoever it is, I know it’s going to be exciting. I just have to take it one fight at the time, but I’ll be back in the title picture. I just have to keep my head down, get healthy, and I’ll be back.”
