LAS VEGAS, Dec. 14, 2025 – Manel Kape emphatically closed the UFC’s 2025 schedule Saturday, delivering a first-round knockout of Brandon royval in their flyweight main event. The stunning finish has instantly thrust Kape into title contention conversation.

Kape’s Explosive Win Fuels Title Aspirations

The flyweight contender delivered a decisive victory over a ranked opponent, setting his sights on a championship bout.

  • Manel Kape defeated Brandon Royval by knockout at 3:18 of the first round.
  • The victory was Kape’s third consecutive win and avenges a previous injury-forced withdrawal from a bout with Royval.
  • Kape has publicly called for a fight with current flyweight champion Joshua Van.
  • Royval suffered only the second knockout loss of his career.
  • Kape is now a leading contender for a title shot alongside Tatsuro Taira.

Kape (22-8) finished Royval (17-9) at 3:18 of the opening round, landing a powerful right hand that floored Royval before following up with a decisive strike. The bout took place in the smaller Octagon inside the UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas.

The result was especially satisfying for Kape, who was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight against Royval in June due to an injury. Joshua Van stepped in as a replacement in that bout, ultimately defeating Royval and claiming the flyweight title last month at UFC 323.

“Joshua Van, because you replaced me, now you have my belt,” Kape stated after the fight. “If I didn’t [get injured], I would be the champion right now. Let’s fight in Houston [in February]. Sign the contract.”

From the opening bell, Kape, 32, aggressively moved to the center of the cage, stalking Royval. Royval responded with leg and body kicks, but Kape appeared unfazed by his opponent’s striking power. UFC Stats indicated kape landed 18 strikes to Royval’s 17, with Kape’s shots consistently appearing cleaner and harder.

the fight-ending sequence began around three minutes into the match, as Kape backed Royval toward the fence and connected with the pivotal right hand. While Royval protested the stoppage, referee Herb Dean allowed him an opportunity to recover, even as he slumped to the canvas.

This marked the 14th knockout victory of Kape’s career, and only the second knockout loss for Royval.

“There is no game plan,” kape said. “The plan is that Brandon Royval steps in the cage, and I will do the rest. I will give the entertainment and the masterpiece.”

Entering the weekend ranked No. 6 in the division, Kape’s win significantly elevates his position, while Royval was previously ranked No. 2.

Van, 24, made history last weekend by becoming the second-youngest champion in UFC history, capturing the belt from Alexandre Pantoja. The championship bout concluded when Pantoja suffered a dislocated elbow while bracing himself during an early takedown attempt.

kape now stands as a strong candidate for a title shot,alongside Japan’s Tats