Manel Kape will need a new opponent for his UFC debut at UFC 252 as Rogerio Bontorin, who was scheduled to face Kape at the event, has withdrawn from the card.
Marcelo Barone of Combate first reported the news, citing an ankle injury as the reason for Bontorin’s withdrawal from the card. Kape is expected to remain on the UFC 252 card at this time, as UFC officials are seeking a replacement for him to fight.
Kape (15-4-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this bout and does so on the strength of a three fight winning streak. Kape is a former Rizin Bantamweight Champion, defeating Kai Asakura at Rizin 20 to win the gold. Kape has picked up fifteen wins as a professional MMA fighter and nine of them came by way of KO/TKO.
UFC 252 takes place on Saturday, August 15 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada with Stipe Mioic and Daniel Cormier headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
