.svg)
.png)
On Wednesday during UFC 304 fight week, the teams of Manel Kape (19-6) and Muhammad Mokaev (12-0, 1 NC) threw down inside of the fighters’ hotel in Manchester, England. This is not the first time the two entourages reportedly scrapped, as UFC featherweight Jean Silvaclaimed that a scuffle erupted at the UFC Performance Institute earlier in the month. Per MMA Fighting, Kape later suggested that rumors of that encounter might have been greatly exaggerated. The same cannot be said about Wednesday’s ordeal, as it was caught on video by Red Corner MMA.
According to coach Eric Nicksick, who appears in the images trying to break up the confusion, it all started after Mokaev asked to take a photo with Kape and allegedly threw a surprise punch at his rival. Nicksick’s version is in line with what Kape said, who accused Mokaev on social media of coming at him out of nowhere.
“What kind of Muslim are you,” Kape accused. “You greeted me, asked to take a photo and tried to punch me. I can see now that you are not a son of Dagestan, because men are raised there. You are just a poor bastard raised in Manchester without honor and principles.”
Even though Kape denied the initial incident in Las Vegas, the veil might have fallen as he let slip a few details that may actually confirm Kape struck his adversary ahead of their scheduled bout.
“When I hit you in Vegas, I went alone and warned you beforehand,” Kape noted. “I don't hit distracted men with their guard down or with their backs turned. I thought everything was resolved, but the carnage continues…Shaytan.”
When the first fracas allegedly went down, Silva put up a live chat on his Instagram to document the proceedings.
“This guy is truly crazy,” Silva remarked. “He opened Mokaev’s head here at the entrance to the PI. First, he gave a headbutt and then an elbow. There was a huge cut on his forehead a week before the guy’s fight. He was alone and Mokaev was with a group of Russians who looked scared.”
Following Silva’s comments, Kape appeared in the video, where he said in Portuguese, “I’m going to hit him for the second time now.” The promotion has not indicated whether the competitors or their teams will be punished for their actions, and the fight is currently still on target for the UFC 304 prelims.
.svg)