Manel Kape apologizes for homophobic slur throughout Kai Kara-France callout at UFC 293

SYDNEY – From throwing water bottles at a press convention to successful a Combat of the Evening battle, after which needing to challenge an apology for homophobic language throughout his post-fight interview, Manel Kape had a tumultuous struggle week.

On the UFC 293 pre-fight press convention, Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) didn’t give his opponent Felipe dos Santos a lot consideration, and as an alternative centered on the person he was initially slated to face on the occasion, Kai Kara-France. After withdrawing because of concussion signs, Kara-France confirmed as much as the press convention in help of his Metropolis Kickboxing teammates on stage. Kape launched verbal attacks and a water bottle in his route.

On struggle night time, Kape discovered himself in a battle in opposition to the UFC newcomer dos Santos, who gave Kape a couple of scares over quarter-hour. Kape won by unanimous decision, and the thrilling battle later earned the Combat of the Evening award.

Throughout his post-fight interview, Kape as soon as once more turned his consideration to Kara-France, however sadly delivered a homophobic slur throughout his callout.

“Yeah, I’m sorry for that,” Kape instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a post-fight information convention. “It’s emotional, you recognize. Throughout the struggle, throughout the interview, we’re all feelings. We are saying issues that we didn’t wish to say, however for (these) who really feel unhealthy about that, I apologize.”

Whereas Kape was sorry for his use of phrases, he maintained his vitriol for Kara-France’s withdrawal from their scheduled bout. “Starboy” stated he’s presently coping with a “massive” damage that will require surgical procedure, however nonetheless confirmed as much as compete for what he deliberate to be a title-eliminator bout in opposition to Kara-France.

“A win on this night time was imagined to be to struggle subsequent for the title,” Kape stated. “I simply imagine that they’re a bit of bit hypocritical, as a result of their staff says they’ve to enter with accidents, they must struggle. They talked about Dricus (Du Plessis) about Israel Adesanya, he didn’t struggle due to accidents. What occurred to Kai Kara? We didn’t know actually what occurred, you recognize? So, that is my query to him.

“… I’m going into (fights with) accidents. That is the mentality of the champ, you recognize? I’m not going to waste the time of anybody, and I’m not going to waste my time.”

Kape, who presently holds the No. 12 spot within the newest MMA Junkie/USA TODAY Sports flyweight rankings, hopes Kara-France (No. 9) will signal to struggle him once more. He needs the struggle to be for 5 rounds, however not a headliner of a Combat Evening occasion. Kape needs it to happen on one other pay-per-view occasion as initially deliberate.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 293.