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Manel Kape claims he could beat Israel Adesanya in a street fight: ‘I’m undefeated in the streets’

Manel Kape claims he could beat Israel Adesanya in a street fight: 'I'm undefeated in the streets' Manel Kape believes he could take Israel Adesanya in a street fight. During a recent appearance on the JAXXON…

Manel Kape believes he could take Israel Adesanya in a street fight.

During a recent appearance on the JAXXON podcast with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, ‘Starboy’ claimed that he could take ‘The Last Stylebender’ in a scrap, regardless of the size disparity between the two.

Manel Kape was asked if he could beat Israel Adesanya in a street fight:

"I'm undefeated in the streets… I already beat many guys of his size. I don't give a f*** [about his size]…

Put him in front of me in the streets and we're gonna see… [Adesanya] is pretty good, I'm… pic.twitter.com/EBGzZ7kECg

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 1, 2024

“I’m undefeated in the streets. I don’t give a f*ck. I beat already many, many, many guys of his size. I don’t give a f*ck [about his size],” Kape said. “Put him in front of me in the streets, and we’re gonna see. It’s everything in the street… I’m pretty good too, brother” (h/t MiddleEasy).

It’s a pretty bold statement coming from Kape who stands at 5’6″ and regularly fights at 125 pounds — when he actually makes weight. By comparison Adesanya is 6’4″ tall and fights at middleweight, a weight class 60 pounds heavier than the one Kape calls home.

It’s certainly not the first time Kape has had something negative to say about fighters out of City Kickboxing in New Zealand. Last year, ‘Starboy’ went in on Adesanya’s teammate, Kai Kara-France, calling him and the entire gym a “bunch of f****ts” during a post-fight interview.

Manel Kape continues fighting for his first uFC title opportunity while Adesanya prepares for his 12th career championship scrap

Manel Kape has won his last four fights inside the Octagon. Unfortunately, the streak has done little in the way of earning him a title opportunity amid a slew of canceled clashes. ‘Starboy’ was forced to withdraw from a fight with Matheus Nicolau on two separate occasions, one of which was because he failed to make the flyweight limit.

However, it should be noted that multiple fights, including bouts with Kai Kara-France, Deiveson Figueiredo, Alex Perez, Rogério Bontorin, and Alexandre Pantoja were all scrapped for a variety of issues, none of which were Kape’s fault.

As for Adesanya, the ‘Stylebender’ is primed for a big return in 2024 after losing his middleweight crown for the second time in a year. The former two-time titleholder is expected to square off with reigning 185-pound king Dricus Du Plessis when he steps back inside the Octagon, though no official announcements have been made.

Watch the full JAXXON podcast episode below:

Alex Pereira unsure legacy has surpassed UFC rival Israel Adesanya’s: ‘I was a double champion, he tried’

Unsure if his legacy in combat sports has already surpassed that of four-fight fight, Israel Adesanya despite his fleeting…

Unsure if his legacy in combat sports has already surpassed that of four-fight fight, Israel Adesanya despite his fleeting mixed martial arts run, Alex Pereira pointed to the fact that he managed to strike gold in two UFC divisions – whilst his rival failed in his attempt.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, turned in his first successful defense of the light heavyweight throne at UFC 300 earlier this month, blasting through Jamahal Hill with a blistering opening round KO win in the pair’s headlining clash.

Jamahal Hill echoes calls for rematch fight with Alex Pereira He's gotta see me again — Manadatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

As for Adesanya, the City Kickboxing staple has been widely linked with a return as soon as August, in the form of a headliner at UFC 305 in Australia, welcoming a title grudge fight against current middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya targeted to headline UFC 305 in Perth title fight with Dricus du Plessis — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Sidelined since last September, Adesanya set an unwanted record of dropping divisional gold for the second time in the space of a calendar year, in the form of an upset decision loss to Sean Strickland.

Alex Pereira compares his legacy to Israel Adesanya’s

Welcoming the opportunity to fight for a heavyweight crown in a bid to become the first three-division champion to ever compete in the UFC, Pereira was asked if he believes his legacy in combat sports has already eclipsed that of Adesanya – and while pointing to his success in two divisions, admitted he wasn’t sure.

Alex Pereira rejects UFC 308 clash with Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi I want to fight sooner — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“Honestly, I don’t know, man,” Alex Pereira told Laerte Viana during a recent interview. “You have to see the criteria they use. (Israel) Adesanya made several defenses [of the middleweight title]. I couldn’t defend the middleweight belt.”

Alex Pereira was asked if his legacy in such a short time in the #UFC has surpassed Israel Adesanya's:

"Honestly I don't know man. You have to see the criteria they use. Adesanya made several [title] defenses, I couldn't defend the middleweight belt…

But there are things I… pic.twitter.com/74MrIl8hTv

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 27, 2024

“But there are things I did – I was a double champion,” Alex Pereira explained. “He tried [to win a seond title] but didn’t. I’m not worried about that because I think it doesn’t matter what classification they give you. What matters is what you do and inspire people. And I think I’m doing it very well.”

Who would you like to see Alex Pereira fight in the future?

Israel Adesanya roasts clout-chasing bodybuilder Bradley Martyn: ‘Some people aren’t even man enough…’

Israel Adesanya established himself as one of the UFC’s greatest champions by repeatedly proving himself inside the Octagon. Bradley…

Israel Adesanya established himself as one of the UFC’s greatest champions by repeatedly proving himself inside the Octagon. Bradley Martyn, on the other hand, garnered attention from the MMA community after making outlandish claims that he could handle himself in hypothetical fights with fighters who would absolutely destroy him in a legitimate fight.

Martyn, a well-known bodybuilder, and YouTube star, began to draw the ire of fighters and fans alike last year when he began challenging mixed martial artists like Nate Diaz, Sean O’Malley, and Alex Pereira to a streetfight. While most of them laughed off his gross overconfidence, there was one fighter who was happy to make Martyn put his money where his mouth is.

Former UFC and current ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson agreed to fly out to Martyn’s home where the two could tussle in the comfort of his home in L.A.

“I look at Bradley Martyn as a gentleman who is looking for clout, and he’s saying [that he can beat me in a street fight],” Johnson said while speaking with Adesanya on a recent episode of his podcast. “And for me, I’ve been about that life. I just proved that I am about that life. For free.”

Israel Adesanya puts Bradley Martyn in his place

Though Israel Adesanya has never personally met Martyn, ‘The Last Stylebender’ revealed that the influencer was eager to get him inside the ring while the two were attending a post-fight party at Jake Paul’s house.

“When Jake Paul fought Nate Robinson, I met Jake at the hotel,” Adesanya said. “He invites me to his house. I get there and at one point, there’s a ring in the backyard. And I got word that ‘Oh, this guy’s trying to get Izzy in the ring.’ I was like, ‘Nah, I ain’t doing any of that. I’m here to have fun,’ and it was [Bradley Martyn]. I don’t know the guy, but anytime I see him with a fighter, he tries to like, ‘Oh, how would I…’

“Stop that. For me, personally, some people aren’t even man enough to wash the jocks we fight in. They’re not man enough or worthy enough to step in a ring or a cage with us.”

After seeing the 5’3″, 150-pound Demetrious Johnson defeat a 6’3″, 250-pound man at the IBJJF Pan Championships last month, Martyn may have had second thoughts about stepping on the mat with ‘Mighty Mouse.’

Israel Adesanya heaps praise on Alex Pereira amid rivalry: ‘He’s a special human being, I’ll always respect him’

Sharing a four-fight rivalry with Alex Pereira throughout their decorated combat sports career, Israel Adesanya claims he will always…

Sharing a four-fight rivalry with Alex Pereira throughout their decorated combat sports career, Israel Adesanya claims he will always respect the UFC light heavyweight champion amid their series of clashes, describing the Brazilian as a “special human being”.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September of last year against common-foe, Sean Strickland, dropping a one-sided unanimous decision loss.

Alex Pereira weighs up Manchester fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 I'm there

As for Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira, the former two-division champion headlined UFC 300 just earlier this month, dispatching the returning, Jamahal Hill with a devastating opening round KO win in Las Vegas.

Israel Adesanya praises arch-enemy, Alex Pereira

And expected to share the Octagon with incumbent middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis in a return to championship settings at UFC 305 in August, Adesanya claims that despite his distinct, and often heated rivalry with four-fight foe, Pereira, he can’t but admit the Brazilian will always have his respect.

Israel Adesanya picks Jamahal Hill to beat Alex Pereira by KO in UFC 300 title fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Honestly, he’s (Alex Pereira) a special fighter,” Israel Adesanya said during an appearance on MightyCast. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game, in fighting and for his life, as well, I’ll always respect him. I’m grateful for those moments for me, it taught me so much about myself and where I can go.”

“Same with the Kelvin Gastelum fight, it let me know I can go more,” Israel Adesanya explained. “That one, I was ready to die, but this one, I just knew, ‘There’s no f*cking way, this guy, I swear to God, I will die… fourth time’s a charm.”

GETTY UFC 287 Pereira v Adesanya 2 SPO GYI1480906107jpg JS808759612 1 — Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Weighing up his fighting future off the back of his blistering win over Hill earlier this month atop UFC 300, Pereira has welcomed the chance to return in a heavyweight first inside the Octagon, amid links to a spectacular UFC 304 clash in July in a showdown against Tom Aspinall.

Do you think Alex Pereira will share the Octagon with Israel Adesanya again?

Ex-UFC champ Israel Adesanya slams Alex Pereira fans while defending his 1-3 record against ‘Poatan’

Israel Adesanya has nothing, but respect for longtime rival Alex Pereira. Pereira’s fans, on the other hand, not so…

Israel Adesanya has nothing, but respect for longtime rival Alex Pereira.

Pereira’s fans, on the other hand, not so much. Or as ‘The Last Stylebender’ likes to call them — “Poatards.”

Adesanya’s iconic rivalry with the reigning UFC light heavyweight world champion started all the way back in 2016 under the GLORY Kickboxing banner. There, Pereira scored back-to-back wins over Adesanya — one, a questionable unanimous decision and the other, an absolutely brutal third-round KO.

They picked up right where they left off inside the Octagon, with ‘Poatan’ finishing Adesanya in the fifth round of their UFC 281 headliner to claim the 185-pound crown.

Looking back on their legendary scraps during a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel, Adesanya couldn’t help but vent his frustration over “casual” MMA fans who continue to ignore the success he had against Pereira despite holding a 1-3 record against the Brazilian.

“People, they’re so f*cking stupid,” Adesanya said. “In this first fight in China, I thought I won. These casuals don’t. These plebs don’t. I thought I won. Even he thought he won until he got his hand raised. The second time, I’m beating his ass and he gets me. Again in New York [at UFC 281], I’m beating him. Rocked him. Took him down, beat him, and he gets me.”

Adesanya finally broke through five months removed from his third-straight loss to Pereira, retaking his middleweight title at UFC 287.

“I just knew that I can beat this guy,” Adesanya added. “It wasn’t about proving it to anyone else. I can beat this guy, so that last Miami one, I was in a different place. I had to tap into some darkness for that camp. People who knew me, I was different. Ain’t no way this motherf*cker is about to beat me four times. It’s about the story. So now I’ve beat him once. How ironic. I beat him once, but watch this. If I fight him again and knock him out, what are they going to say? ‘It’s 3-2. Now it’s best out of seven.’

“I’m 34. I’ve only got a certain amount of fights left. Why am I gonna fight the same guy however many times? I just want to prove it to myself.”

Israel Adesanya is grateful for the time he spent competing against Alex Pereira

Content to leave their series where it stands, Alex Pereira made the move to light heavyweight, earning a split-decision victory over former 205-pound champ Jan Blachowicz. That win set the stage for his world title clash with Jiri Prochazka. In November, the two warriors stepped under the main event spotlight at UFC 295 inside the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

There, ‘Poatan’ delivered another highlight-reel-worthy knockout, finishing Prochazka in the second round to claim his second world title in a year.

“He’s a special fighter,” Adesanya said of Pereira. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game — in fighting and what he’s done for his life as well, I’ll always respect him. I’m grateful for those moments because, for me, it taught me so much about myself and where I can go.”

Pereira is fresh off his first successful defense of the light heavyweight belt, dispatching Jamahal Hill in the opening round of their UFC 300 headliner on April 13.

Alex Pereira urged to fight Israel Adesanya in future ‘Belt versus belt’ clash: ‘Maybe they can run it back’

Former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo wants to see Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have their trilogy match in MMA,…

Former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo wants to see Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have their trilogy match in MMA, and have two belts on the line.

Adesanya is expected to face Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title next time out, and if he wins, Cejudo wants him to move up to light heavyweight to face Pereira. Adesanya and Pereira are 1-1 against each other in MMA and ‘Triple C’ is hopeful the trilogy in MMA will happen.

Alex Pereira at heavyweight? Not now, thanks — Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

“We got Adesanya’s reaction, I mean, he’s a little speechless to say the least,” Cejudo said on Pound 4 Pound podcast (via MMANews). “That being said, the dude is a problem. If you don’t wrestle this dude, your probability of really beating him are going to go down, I mean, there’s a reason why Israel Adesanya doesn’t want to fight him at 85 nor 205, and you know what? I don’t blame him because if you’re just gonna strike with him, he’s going to pick you apart. But it also lets you know how good Izzy is to be able to win rounds and actually hurt a guy like Alex Pereira…

“Who knows guys? Potentially, Israel Adesanya wins that bout against Dricus du Plessis,” Cejudo added. “Maybe they can run it back, belt versus belt bout at 185 or at 205.”

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFC — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Although Cejduo is looking for a Belt vs. Belt fight, it wouldn’t happen in the UFC as only one title would be on the line. But, it is a unique idea by Cejudo that would add to the intrigue of the potential trilogy match.

Israel Adesanya Likely To Face Dricus Du Plessis Next

Israel Adesanya’s next fight is likely to be for the middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis.

Alex Pereira unsure trilogy clash with Israel Adesanya ever happens I wanted to fight him UFC

Adesanya revealed he was offered the title fight at UFC 300, but the South African wasn’t ready in time. Instead, it appears the fight will be happening in Australia at UFC 305 in Aug. 18, as Du Plessis has hinted at that being the case.

If Adesanya does beat Du Plessis and reclaim the middleweight title, perhaps the trilogy with Pereira does come to fruition.