UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (11/6-11/12): Manel Kape Set For January 13 Return

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring the next fight for rising flyweight contender Manel Kape.

With UFC cards being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

In recent days, a few big-name fights were reported, confirmed, or made official by the UFC and reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

• Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutiérrez – UFC Shanghai (December 9)
• Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis – UFC 297 (January 20)
• Jan Błachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakić – UFC 297 (January 20)
• Dominick Reyes vs. Carlos Ulberg – UFC 297 (January 20)
• Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria – UFC 298 (February 17)
• Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera – UFC 299 (March 9)

It was a busy week overall for fight announcements, with a number of lower-profile matchups coming together. For those, check out this week’s quick hits:

• Song Kenan vs. Kevin Jousset – UFC Shanghai (December 9)
• Farid Basharat vs. Taylor Lapilus – UFC Vegas 83 (January 13)
• Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson – UFC 297 (January 20)
• Julija Stoliarenko vs. Luana Carolina – UFC Fight Night (February 3)
• Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues – UFC Fight Night (February 3)

And for more detailed information on one notable fight that may have flown under your radar between November 6 and November 12, scroll down and check out this week’s UFC Matchmaking Bulletin spotlighted fight.

Matheus Nicolau vs. Manel Kape – UFC Fight Night (January 13)

Top 10 flyweight contenders will look to help kick off the new year in style by running it back in a rematch at the first UFC event of 2024.

While former Rizin champion Manel Kape (19-6) began life on MMA’s biggest stage with consecutive losses to Alexandre Pantoja and Matheus Nicolau, he’s since won four straight en route to #8 in the rankings at 125 pounds. He most recently outpointed late-notice replacement Felipe dos Santos at UFC 293 in Sydney after a concussion forced Kai Kara-France out.

Although the Angolan-born Portuguese fighter had been calling for his clash with “Don’t Blink” to be rebooked, he’s instead set for the chance to avenge one of his two UFC defeats by running it back with Nicolau (19-3-1) on January 13. After a perfect 4-0 start to his Octagon career, the Brazilian fell short of a first championship opportunity at UFC Kansas City this past April, where he was knocked out by upcoming title challenger Brandon Royval.

This three-round flyweight fight was first reported by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.

🚨🚨BREAKING🚨🚨Rematch time!! Matheus Nicolau vs. Manel Kape takes place on January 13th at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. #UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/V156XWbxzA

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) November 8, 2023

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