Manel Kape has an opponent for his UFC debut. The former Rizin bantamweight champion has been booked to face Rogerio Bontorin on August 12th.
The fight will be part of the UFC 252 card which does not currently have a venue. It will be Kape’s first bout outside of Japan since 2015 after his nine fight stint with Rizin.
Kape (15-4) has won his last three fights. He beat Kai Asakura in a rematch at Rizin 20 to win the promotion’s bantamweight belt, a title he would never defend.
Bontorin (16-2) has won two out of his three UFC fights. His name might be familiar to Japanese fans; the Brazilian beat Michinori Tanaka at Grandslam 6 in 2017.
Having competed at bantamweight for Rizin he will be dropping down to 125lbs for his UFC debut. Bontorin is currently #9 in the flyweight rankings and represents a real test for the AKA Thailand representative.
UFC 252, TBD, August 12th
Stipe Miocic (c) vs. Daniel Cormier (For Heavyweight Title)
Livia Renata Souza vs. Ashley Yoder (Strawweight)
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cuțelaba (Light Heavyweight)
Felice Herrig vs. Virna Jandiroba (Strawweight)
Junior dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (Heavyweight)
Manel Kape vs. Rogerio Bontorin (Flyweight)
