Kape TKOs Royval in last UFC main event of 2025

Flyweight contender Manel Kape stated his case for the next title shot Saturday, defeating Brandon Royval via TKO in the final UFC main event of the year.

The stoppage came at the 3:18 mark of the first round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

With the victory, Kape tied former title challenger Joseph Benavidez for the most knockouts in UFC flyweight history (five). "Starboy" also entered a four-way tie for the promotion's longest active knockout streak (three).

Afterward, he sent a message to newly crowned 125-pound champion Joshua Van, who dethroned Alexandre Pantoja last weekend at UFC 323.

"Just sign the contract," Kape said, according to MMA Fighting's Damon Martin. "Just be ready. Nobody can f-----g deny the belt. I’m the f-----g best."

Kape and Royval entered Saturday's fight ranked sixth and second among flyweights in the UFC, respectively.

Kape is now riding a three-fight winning streak and is 7-1 in his last eight Octagon appearances. The 32-year-old completed his 2025 campaign with a 2-0 record after stopping Asu Almabayev in March.

Royval, a former title challenger, is now riding a two-fight skid and is 2-3 in his last five outings. The 33-year-old dropped a unanimous decision to Van in a Fight of the Year candidate in June.