Pantoja in danger! Manel Kape enters the top 3 of the flyweight division and gets closer to the belt after shining at UFC Vegas 112.

Kape celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

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Manel Kape took advantage of the chance to headline UFC Vegas 112, an event held last Saturday (13) and which was the company's last in 2025. In the octagon, the Angolan made short work of the dangerous Brandon Royval , knocking him out in the first round and earning one of the performance bonuses. In addition, this Tuesday (16), in the ranking update released by the company, the athlete was also awarded in the flyweight division (up to 57 kg).

Before fighting at UFC Vegas 112, Kape was ranked sixth in the division. His brilliant performance in his last fight propelled 'Starboy' up four places in the rankings, reaching second place. This has brought the Angolan closer to a title shot in the flyweight division, making him a threat to Alexandre Pantoja , who aims to recover from his arm injury by challenging champion Joshua Van . However, the Brazilian, former king of the division, still doesn't know the severity of his injury or how long he will be sidelined.

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Defeated in the main event of UFC Vegas 112, Royval dropped from second to fourth place in the rankings. This was the second consecutive loss for the American, a former flyweight title challenger.

Argentinian in the top 15

Vallejos promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

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In the featherweight division (up to 65,8 kg), 24-year-old Kevin Vallejos reached a new level. At the event, the Argentinian, a promising fighter in the division and in MMA, delivered a brutal knockout to veteran Giga Chikadze in the second round. As a result, the athlete, riding a three-fight winning streak, entered the division's rankings for the first time, taking the 13th position from the Georgian. With this tough defeat, his third in a row, the striker was removed from the division's top 15.

Other important changes

Even without fighting, Jean Silva gained a position in the featherweight division. Now, the Brazilian is ranked tenth in the category.

In the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg), Shavkat Rakhmonov also moved up a spot in the rankings without fighting. The feared Uzbek, undefeated in MMA, reached second place, leaving Ian Garry behind.

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