Team Mokaev and Team Kape got into a brawl at the Fighters Hotel in Manchester, amid much coverage of their feud at UFC PI earlier this year.#UFC304
#UFCManchester pic.twitter.com/3aCBCrzMvo
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA)
July 24, 2024
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad airs Saturday at 10pm ET on ESPN+. Order now! Two of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most talented flyweights can’t seem to understand that they won’t be fighting until the cage door closes.
On Wednesday of UFC 304 fight week, the teams of Manel Kape (19-6) and Mohamed Mokaev (12-0, 1 KO) got into an altercation inside the fighters’ hotel in Manchester, England. This wasn’t the first time that the two fighters’ entourages have reportedly gotten into an altercation, with UFC featherweight Jean Silva claiming a brawl broke out at the UFC Performance Institute earlier this month. Kape later suggested that rumors of a brawl may have been exaggerated, according to MMA Fighting. The same can’t be said for Wednesday’s altercation, which was caught on video by Red Corner MMA.
His coach, Eric Nicksick, who appeared in the photo to try and calm the situation, said Mokaev surprised his rival by asking to take a photo with Cape. Nicksick’s story matches those of Cape, who has accused Mokaev of storming out of nowhere on social media.
“What kind of Muslim are you,” Cape denounced. “You said hello to me, asked for a photo and then tried to hit me. I see you’re no son of Dagestan, because men are raised there. You’re just a pathetic bastard who grew up in Manchester, with no honour or principles.”
Although Cape denied the initial incident in Las Vegas, the veil may have now been lifted as he spilled some details that may in fact corroborate that Cape had punched his opponent before the fight.
“When I attacked you in Las Vegas, I went alone and warned you beforehand,” Cape pointed out. “I never attack someone who is off guard or has their back turned. I thought I had it all solved, but the carnage continues… Shaitan.”
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad airs Saturday at 10 pm ET on ESPN+. Order yours now! When the initial incident allegedly occurred, Silva held a live chat on Instagram where he documented the incident.
“This guy is totally crazy,” Silva said. “He hit Mokaev over the head here at the entrance to the PI. First a headbutt, then an elbow. A week before the fight he had a big cut on his forehead. He was alone, while Mokaev was with a group of Russians who looked scared.”
Following Silva’s comments, Kape appeared on video and said in Portuguese, “Now I’m going to attack a second time.” The organization did not say whether any fighters or their teams would face any punishment for their actions, and the bout is currently scheduled to take place as a preliminaries for UFC 304.
