Joshua Van, the reigning flyweight champion in the UFC, anticipated a straightforward path to defending his title, with numerous contenders ready to challenge him. However, despite agreeing twice to face Manel Kape, Van’s fight against the Angolan contender never materialized. This unfolded amid the fallout from the canceled UFC 324 main event between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes, forcing the promotion to reshuffle bouts and call Van on short notice. Ultimately, Van will defend his belt against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11, 2026, after the original plan with Kape fell apart.
Negotiations and Changes: The Breakdown of the Van-Kape Matchup
Van explained on Paramount’s UFC Fight Night 267 post-fight show that the situation began when the UFC’s highly anticipated Harrison vs. Nunes match was canceled. Shortly after, the promotion contacted him with a two-week notice to step in for a fight. Van accepted the challenge immediately, only to find out that Manel Kape, originally offered the fight, was unable to compete.
“When I was in Cali, they called me on short notice because Kayla vs. Amanda fell off,”
Van recalled.
“They offered me two weeks’ notice, and I immediately said yes. I guess they called Manel Kape, and he said he can’t, so I said, ‘Ok, cool.’”
Van continued describing the confusion surrounding the scheduling:
“He called me out for March 7, and Mick (Maynard) and my managers said, ‘Who you want: Manel or Taira for March 7?’ I said Manel, and I said yes on my part, and I don’t know what happened. A couple of days later, they said, ‘Taira.’”
‘The Fearless’ champion believed he had done everything required on his side, even endorsing the fight with Kape publicly after a spirited back-and-forth on social media. Alan Jouban, a fellow fighter, suggested that Kape would have been a more exciting opponent, a notion Van agreed with, which only deepened the mystery behind the sudden switch.
Manel Kape’s Perspective: Frustration Over Promotion’s Decision
Manel Kape presented a different view of the sequence of events. In a statement on social media, he shared that he had been preparing intensively for the March 7 fight and was even in the process of cutting weight. However, the UFC had already promised the spot to Tatsuro Taira, leaving Kape sidelined despite his efforts.
“Even knowing that, we kept pushing to make this fight happen on March 7,”
Kape said.
“UFC told us there was a strong possibility. I was already cutting weight; by Monday, I was down to 144lbs. In the end, the UFC decided not to move forward with the fight because of the short time.”
This breakdown left Kape feeling overlooked and frustrated, especially since Van was now set to face Taira, a matchup filled with no public animosity or social media conflict. Van recognized the stylistic contrast in the upcoming bout, describing himself as a better striker and Taira as a superior grappler.
Kape Pushes Back Against Waiting and Targets Future Opportunities
While Van prepares for his title defense against Taira, Manel Kape sent a clear message to the UFC and fans about his intentions moving forward. Kape claims the organization offered him the chance to wait for the winner of the upcoming fight, but he refuses to simply stay inactive.
“The UFC gave me the opportunity to sit out and wait for the title fight winner,”
Kape said.
“Knowing they honor their promises, I could definitely wait. That’s what most fighters would do. But I’m not most fighters. And I’m not a coward who sits on his ranking position.”
Instead of waiting passively, Kape plans to compete again in May or June to maintain momentum and leverage ahead of what he anticipates will be the most significant contract negotiation of his career. He even compared himself ambitiously with one of boxing’s all-time greats, expressing confidence as he said,
“You can call me the Floyd Mayweather of flyweights.”
Upcoming UFC 327 Title Showdown and Future Implications
The reshuffling that ruled out the Van vs. Kape fight has set the stage for a title clash that centers more on contrasting fighting styles than social media drama. With Van and Tatsuro Taira facing off in Miami, the flyweight division’s hierarchy will soon be clearer.
Manel Kape’s vow to stay active and ready signals that he remains a top contender eager to challenge for the belt. Should Van successfully defend his title, the next championship opportunity likely awaits Kape, whose desire to enter the fight with momentum rather than pause off the sidelines highlights his determination.
This tense sequence of events reveals the complicated dynamics within the UFC’s matchmaking process, where injuries, cancellations, and promotional decisions can reshape championship trajectories unexpectedly. Fans and analysts now watch closely as UFC 327 approaches, anticipating a decisive moment in the flyweight division and the immediate aftermath for contenders like Kape and Van.
Joshua Van On Manel Kape Fight At #UFC326 🦆
“He called me out for March 7 and Mick (Maynard) and my managers said, 'Who you want: Manel or Taira for March 7?' I said Manel, and I said yes on my part, and I don't know what happened. A couple of days later, they said Taira” pic.twitter.com/NZO07YaQFG
— Kevin (@realkevink) February 23, 2026
