UFC flyweight Manel Kape returned to the Octagon after a USADA violation saw him removed from a fight in April. In the time since, the recently re-crowned flyweight champ, Deiveson Figueiredo, has taken to complaining about an interim fight between former champion Brandon Moreno and up-and-coming contender Kai Kara-France. At the UFC 275 media day, he discussed the USADA violation, and why “Figgy” should simply be grateful for what he has.
““Let Deiveson complain. This man is ungrateful. UFC gave you everything, and right now, he starts complaining about the UFC make an interim belt – he should just be grateful for the opportunity he has. He was living in a village, living with cows.”
Manuel Kape Slams “Ungrateful” Figueiredo
Kape is keenly anticipating a run at the flyweight title, with two UFC knockout wins thus far, and a fight against lethal opposition in Rogerio Bontorin around the corner.
“This is my opportunity because Rogerio, he’s a good opponent. He fought Kai Kara [France] very well in the first round. Unfortunately, Kai Kara gave him a bad punch [to finish him], but I believe Rogerio is a better fighter than these guys, and I will prove that I’m a better fighter than Rogerio and make this fight easily.”
With this weekend marking his first fight since the USADA violation in April, Kape expanded on what happened to derail his fight a few months back.
“I didn’t know what happened. I believe that it was a supplement I had been taking, the pre-workout [supplement], but this pre-workout I’ve been taking all my fight camps and never get popped. I know that this pre-workout was not certified from USADA, but I never think that can give me some [positive test].
But the UFC allowed me to fight, USADA allowed me to fight. Just the Nevada Commission not allow me to fight, but they said the levels were very well. I didn’t cheat or anything. I’m 100 percent true on that. I’ve been tested all the time. Every time was negative.”
Kape maintains his innocence, and indeed his tests for the metabolite were under the limit. However, he was unable to fight in Nevada thanks to Athletic Commission regulations, with a return to Asia for the former RIZIN star set for this weekend.
“The only thing that upset me was the fight that was cancelled. At that time, I was very well, I was in shape, fast and everything was in the right way. But if you see the other side, this happened for some reason.
I’m in Asia where I’m a big star here fighting on the main card in the UFC 275. Probably God has other plans for me, and this was the best plans.”
Do you agree with Manuel Kape about Deiveson Figueiredo? Let us know in the comments.
