Manel Kape Calls for Joshua Van Title Shot, Targets March 8 Houston Date

Overview

• Fresh off a first-round knockout of Brandon Royval, Kape declared he would “destroy” champion Joshua Van and labeled him a “punching bag.”
• Kape urged the UFC to schedule the bout on March 8 in Houston, saying he would accept either a main event or a title co-main slot.
• He even suggested the promotion move Sean Strickland to co-main to clear the top billing for a Van title defense in Houston.
• Van became champion after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an injury at UFC 323, leaving the former titleholder’s return timetable unclear.
• UFC officials have not announced Van’s first defense as they consider options for early 2026 Paramount+ cards and monitor Pantoja’s recovery.