Breaking: Manel Kape smashed through Brandon Royval in the UFC Vegas 112 main event, winning by first round TKO and shaking up the flyweight title chase. The finish came at 3:18 of Round 1 inside the UFC APEX, and it capped the UFC’s final live show on ESPN with a thunderclap. I was cageside, and the message was loud. Kape is ready for his first shot at gold.
Result: Manel Kape def. Brandon Royval, TKO, 3:18 of Round 1, UFC Vegas 112
A finish that changes everything
This fight had been delayed twice earlier this year. Royval’s concussion in spring, then Kape’s fractured foot in summer, forced two scrapped dates. The third try delivered, fast. Kape showed patience early, then lit the fuse. He stepped inside Royval’s long guard and landed a short right that buckled the former title challenger. The follow-up strikes were clean and heavy. The referee had no choice.
The win matters because of who Royval is. He is a high-output scrambler with chaos in his bones. He drags you into deep water. Kape did not drift. He drew a line, beat him to the spot, and shut the door before the exchanges could spiral. For a flyweight, Kape’s power is rare. His timing is the real danger. Tonight, both were on display.
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The weigh-in, the clock, and the questions
The drama started a day earlier. Kape weighed in with less than two minutes to spare, hitting 126 pounds for the non-title fight. He had missed weight twice before in the UFC. This time, the room went quiet as the clock ticked. The relief after he made it was real, and you could feel it on both sides of the stage.
There was also talk about his appearance. Fans and cameras picked up visible swelling in his chest area. Kape also wore a sports bra on air, which is unusual for a male fighter and sparked more questions. It created a noisy backdrop in fight week, and it will follow him into 2026.
There has been no announced anti-doping violation tied to Kape. The commission cleared the bout. Any accusations remain unproven at this time.
What stood out to me was how Kape handled it. No excuses. No detours. He kept the focus on the fight, then delivered a ruthless finish. In this sport, public image can swing fast. Tonight’s win pushes the conversation back toward the only thing that really counts, performance.
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The title picture just shifted for 2026
Kape came in ranked near the top and leaves with a claim no one can ignore. Champion Joshua Van holds the belt after a debated win that still divides the room. Tatsuro Taira has momentum. Muhammad Mokaev is a rising threat. Amir Albazi and Alexandre Pantoja are proven elite names. After what we saw, Kape belongs in that tight circle, and maybe at the head of it.
A matchup with Van sells on style alone. Van brings pace and volume. Kape brings explosive timing and fight-changing power. It is speed against timing, output against accuracy. On paper, that is a five round showcase for the division. The only hurdle is trust. Can Kape repeatedly make 125 on the biggest nights, with all eyes watching?
The night also marked a broadcast turning point. The UFC closes the ESPN chapter on a highlight. In 2026, live events move to Paramount+, and the flyweights might be first to set the tone for a new platform.
Programming shift: UFC live events move to Paramount+ in 2026. Expect schedule details and title bookings to follow early in the year.
What must come next
Kape has earned a top-choice path. These are the real options on the table I expect to be discussed immediately:
- Title shot against Joshua Van in early 2026
- A title eliminator, likely against Tatsuro Taira
- A high-stakes main event with Muhammad Mokaev if timing slips
Any of these fights answers the two biggest questions. Can Kape keep this form across five rounds. Can he make championship weight with no drama. He passed the first test tonight. The second one will decide his ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Manel Kape beat Brandon Royval?
A: Kape won by TKO at 3:18 of Round 1. He dropped Royval with a short right hand and finished with follow-up strikes.
Q: Did Kape make weight for UFC Vegas 112?
A: Yes. He made 126 pounds with under two minutes left in the weigh-in window.
Q: What was the issue with his chest at the weigh-in?
A: There was visible swelling that drew attention. No anti-doping violation has been announced, and the commission cleared the fight.
Q: Is Kape next for the flyweight title?
A: He made the strongest case. The choice is between booking him for Joshua Van now or setting a title eliminator with Tatsuro Taira.
Q: Why was this event historic for TV?
A: UFC Vegas 112 was the final live UFC event on ESPN in the United States. Live coverage moves to Paramount+ in 2026.
Conclusion
Manel Kape did not just win. He took control of a moment, a division, and a storyline bigger than one fight. The finish was violent and clean, the timing flawless, the message unmistakable. If the UFC wants its new broadcast era to start with a spark, Kape’s title push is the match.
