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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Nolan King and Ken Hathaway

Manel Kape explains taunts during UFC Fight Night 216 win vs. David Dvorak

LAS VEGAS – Manel Kape beat David Dvorak by unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 216 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Kape, who picked up his second UFC victory since he left RIZIN.

David Dvorak vs. Manel Kape

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (R-L) Manel Kape of Angola punches David Dvorak of the Czech Republic in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Result: Manel Kape def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Updated records: Kape (18-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Dvorak (20-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

Key stat: Kape out-struck Dvorak in significant strikes 58 to 33.

Kape on speed differential as X-factor

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (R-L) David Dvorak of the Czech Republic punches Manel Kape of Angola in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“He’s still slow. He’s still slow. He just changed his game plan. It was not usual he would fight like he (fought). Normally, if you watch his last fights, all of the fights in his career, he’s all the time the man in the center of the ring. This time, he chose to be the man back (against) the cage. I don’t know if he worked a long time for that, but if you didn’t put in work or put in the fights so many times, you’re going to lose. You’re going to lose.”

Kape on near kimura finish

“I think I was breaking his arm, but he showed me he has a lion heart, a spirit of sacrifice. He has a big spirit of sacrifice. He just showed he doesn’t want to lose this fight. He showed he wants to be there. He just showed he doesn’t want to lose this fight. He showed he wants to be there. He showed himself that he’s tough, but he paid the price for that.”

Kape explains taunting

“I feel like fish in water, you know? When I step in the cage, I feel very comfortable. I do everything that I do. I do everything I want. It’s my space, so I have a little bit of fun like I didn’t have for a long time. I just want to show this division how comfortable I am inside the cage.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 216.

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