Manel Kape’s UFC debut at UFC 252 has run into some problems, as his original opponent in Rogerio Bontorin has been taken off of the card. First reported by Marcelo Barone of Combate, injury to Bontorin took him out of the August 15th matchup.
Bontorin has fought three times since joining the UFC, winning two of his bouts. His most recent fight was his first loss in the promotion, as opponent Ray Borg took a unanimous decision victory.
Kape, a former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion was matched with Bontorin for his UFC debut. He was set to come into the fight on a three-fight winning streak, all being wins within Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN.
Set to headline UFC 252 is a trilogy fight between UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Daniel Cormier. Here’s the card as it stands currently.
Bout 8: Stipe Miocic (19-3) vs. Daniel Cormier (22-2) (UFC Heavyweight Championship)
Bout 7: Livia Renata Souza (13-2) vs. Ashley Yoder (7-5) (Strawweight)
Bout 6: Junior dos Santos (21-7) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruick (10-1) (Heavyweight)
Bout 5: Felice Herrig (14-8) vs. Virna Jandiroba (15-1) (Strawweight)
Bout 4: Magomed Ankalaev (13-1) vs. Ion Cutelaba (15-5) (Light Heavyweight)
Bout 3: Sean O’Malley (12-0) vs. Marlon Vera (17-6-1) (Bantamweight)
Bout 2: Frankie Edgar (23-8-1) vs. Pedro Munhoz (18-4) (Bantamweight)
Bout 1: John Dodson (21-11) vs. Merab Dvalishvbili (11-4) (Bantamweight)
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