Overview
- Joshua Van says Manel Kape declined a one-week replacement slot tied to the UFC 324 shake-up after Kayla Harrison withdrew with a neck injury.
- Manel Kape denies receiving a contract, says the UFC only considered him a week out, and argues he could not safely make flyweight on that timeline.
- The rivals traded insults on social media, and Kape publicly proposed March 7 at UFC 326 for a title fight.
- Charles Johnson’s knockout loss at UFC 324 diminished talk of an immediate rematch with Van.
- The UFC has not announced Van’s first defense, with Alexandre Pantoja’s recovery and Kape’s campaign leaving the matchup unresolved.