Fighter Confession: UFC Star Says MMA Made Him More Zen Than Playing Soccer

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 27, 2025, 23:14 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Manel Kape reveals how transitioning to MMA has made him more humble and calm, unlike his Soccer days. Kape is set to fight Asu Almabayev at UFC Fight Night 253 after Brandon Royval pulled out due to injury. Confidently, Kape believes a victory could earn him a title shot against Alexandre Pantoja.

Fighter Confession: UFC Star Says MMA Made Him More Zen Than Playing Soccer

<p>(Image Via: Getty Images and UFC)<br></p>

Manel Kape recently shed some light upon how his transition to MMA turned down his aggression a notch. Despite MMA fighting being one of the most brutal and aggressive sports in the world, Kape shared some interesting details about how the changes he experienced were alike his Soccer journey. Surprisingly for Kape, his transition to MMA was a game changer, as the sport made him more humble and calm as compared to Soccer, which is also an aggressive sport if you see it.

How Did The Transition To MMA Change Manel Kape?

While conversing with Demetrious Johnson, he was asked about what caused him to change when he took the path for MMA, Kape stated, “When I started Jiu-Jitsu, I became more mature, less bullying person in school it make me more respectful and made me more calm.” That being said, Kape stands correct as Jui-Jutsu is a sport which will teach you patience and control and build mental resilience for you to never underestimate the strength and potential of the person in front of you.

While further continuing the conversation, Kape also addressed his upcoming bout with Asu Almabayev after the initial opponent and No.1 contender Brandon Royval pulled out of the fight due to a reported injury. Kape made some bold claims while talking about Almabayev as his new opponent, he stated, “He’s short, and he’s a good target for myself. His chin is going to be there. His nose is going to be there. There’s going to be a bunch of blood on Saturday night.”

Does UFC Fight Night 253 Victory Over Almabayev Earn A Title Shot For Kape?

Moreover, Kape did seem pretty confident when he expressed how this showdown victory carries the possibility of giving him a chance for a title match against Alexandre Pantoja. Kape was possibly not very amused with the last-minute changes to the fight when he stated, “Brandon pulled out. Winning against Royval, I would’ve been No. 1. It’s not my fault. I’m here doing my job.”

With the UFC Fight Night 253 on March 2, Kape and Almabayev as the headlining fight.
Also Read: Manel Kape vs Asu Almabayev: Fight card, date, start time, and how to watch live online

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article