The bad blood between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape had been building for months. The hatred between the two fighters led to a wild series of events during UFC 304 fight week, including a hotel brawl between the two fighters.
At the weigh in, the two fighters had to be separated after Mokaev tried to get at Kape. The UFC responded by having extra security in the cage during the walk-ins. That proved to be a very wise decision as Kape tried to get at Mokaev before the fight even started.
THESE TWO CAN'T WAIT TO PUT THEIR HANDS ON EACH OTHER 😱@MuhammadMokaev vs @ManelKape is LIVE RIGHT NOW on @ESPNPlus! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/5crF0UShG3
— UFC (@ufc) July 28, 2024
With all the bad blood and the attempts to fight before the fight even started, you would expect to see a wild first round. Instead, referee Mike Beltran had to scream at both fighters to fight. The fight continued to get weirder as it continued. Kape suffered a badly broken toe. In the second round, Mokaev was penalized for illegally grabbing the shorts to win the position. This led to Beltran screaming at Mokaev for the foul and giving him the sternest possible warning. After viewing the replay, commentators Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping were surprised that Beltran didn't take a point for the foul.
Perhaps the most surprising part of the night was the sportsmanship shown after the final horn. The two fighters hugged each other before heading to their corners ahead of the decision being read.
In the end it was Mokaev who was awarded the unanimous decision victory. With the victory, Mokaev improved to 13-0, with one no-contest. Mokaev entered the fight as the sixth ranked flyweight in the UFC and is quickly closing in on a future title fight.
"Hey 23 years old, 7-0 in the UFC. Please clap for Manuel Kape... I want a title shot. Hey guys, do I deserve a new UFC contract?" said Mokaev.
UFC fighters reacted to Mokaev vs. Kape
Guys you’re about to fight just wait 5 seconds 🤣🤣🤣 #UFC304
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
Mokaev v Kape pre-fight brovado and shenanigan score 10. In-fight killer instinct score 2.5. These guys man…point fighting after acting all “tough” #ufc304
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
Broke his toe and got pantsed… rough round for Kape so far #UFC304
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
Flyweights needed this rivalry, but the fight didn’t match its grudge. We need the Champ to stir the pot or the flyweights may be in jeopardy again. Who knows maybe triple C could save it again!? 😉
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
What the fuck just happened 🦶 #UFC304
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) July 28, 2024
If his toe wasn’t fucked up some of those shots would be landing with some pop 💯 #ufc304
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) July 28, 2024
Kape’s take down defense is drastically weakened from that toe. Mokaev should be shooting. #UFC304
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Mokaev is using dirty tricks 😒 #UFC304
— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) July 28, 2024
Kape had his four fight winning streak snapped with his loss at UFC 304. Kape remains one of the top flyweights in the UFC and should fight another top 10 ranked flyweight in his next fight.