Hot Take It should be Kape vs Gucci
- Thread starter Koro_11
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You mean Kape vs Gucci II
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Horiguchi already beat Kape in Rizin, Kape isn't that good but hes a fun matchup for Van. Horiguchi can have next if he beats Albazi wnd then have Taira in a number 1 contender fight from there. Keep the division moving, not sure how/win Pantoja will slot back in either but deserves a rematch.
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Since they booked Horiguchi for February, I'm guessing they'll do Van-Taira next. With Pantoja likely next after that, I'm assuming they'll do Horiguchi-Kape in the meantime (assuming Horiguchi beats Albazi).
So you'll likely get your wish, TS.
So you'll likely get your wish, TS.
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Horiguchi is in the twilight of his career, but he's still too solid for Kape.
Watch
Really? I am watching his other UFC fights and the guy kind of looks unstoppable, this is a horrible fight for Van. Horrible. He kind of walked through one "ov" and one "ev" plus koed Royval and pulled some weird stunt with Mokaev. Honestly, the guy seems like a dick head, I am not a fan but I am not really sure what Van is going to do except eat a shit ton of shots to the head. Is it possible he has gotten levels better than he was at Rizen ?
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He is better than his record suggests tho having avenged loss and having some questionable decisions go the other way.
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Like him or not personally, Manel Kape is the best fighter at 125 right now. The books basically know that, which is why he was -300 vs Royval.
Guys that small have a huge strength-to-weight ratio, so it's hard to be a dominant grappler. They can't keep opponents down at 125 rly so you either sub em or they get up.
Kape has the perfect build. His TD def has improved - look at fight vs Asu - and he's gotten to the point he's impossible to take down in the division. He's fundamentally a striker, and arguably the best at 125. He's big, strong, and fast for the division. Striking, he's a massive problem for anyone. He's super quick and tough to hit. Counters well. And he hits harder than basically anyone in the division. You don't want to give one to take one vs Kape. And you probably are giving 1 to take 3 since he's likely faster than you.
IMO Pantoja is the second best fighter in the division TODAY (or was before the injury at least). I was hoping to pound Kape at +money vs Pantoja, but that looks like it is gone. Pantoja will have problems taking Kape down, and will slowly get pieced up on the feet where his striking is sloppy compared to Kape, especially as the rounds go on. I guess Kape has a good chance to finish Pantoja in the championship rounds. I price Kape as prolly -150 to -200 vs Pantoja, and before the injury I think the market probably has Pantoja as a favorite, idk maybe -150. I thought it would be an great spot I was ready to bet a lot.
As long as Kape keeps his head on his shoulders, stays disciplined, and manages his weight - he will be champ at 125. Mark my words.
Guys that small have a huge strength-to-weight ratio, so it's hard to be a dominant grappler. They can't keep opponents down at 125 rly so you either sub em or they get up.
Kape has the perfect build. His TD def has improved - look at fight vs Asu - and he's gotten to the point he's impossible to take down in the division. He's fundamentally a striker, and arguably the best at 125. He's big, strong, and fast for the division. Striking, he's a massive problem for anyone. He's super quick and tough to hit. Counters well. And he hits harder than basically anyone in the division. You don't want to give one to take one vs Kape. And you probably are giving 1 to take 3 since he's likely faster than you.
IMO Pantoja is the second best fighter in the division TODAY (or was before the injury at least). I was hoping to pound Kape at +money vs Pantoja, but that looks like it is gone. Pantoja will have problems taking Kape down, and will slowly get pieced up on the feet where his striking is sloppy compared to Kape, especially as the rounds go on. I guess Kape has a good chance to finish Pantoja in the championship rounds. I price Kape as prolly -150 to -200 vs Pantoja, and before the injury I think the market probably has Pantoja as a favorite, idk maybe -150. I thought it would be an great spot I was ready to bet a lot.
As long as Kape keeps his head on his shoulders, stays disciplined, and manages his weight - he will be champ at 125. Mark my words.
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I watched him lose to 3 different kind of fighters since he came to UFC, the last one not that long ago.
Maybe he’s improved that much since then but I hope not, the guy is an insufferable turd and I hope he never gets another post fight victory speech again.
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He's not impossible to take down given Mokaev did it three times, he's hard to hold down though.
To be fair there probably aren't any wrestlers currently in the UFC as good as Mokaev though.
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To be fair, fighters improve, the first fight was a while ago and Kape seems to have the confidence right now and momentum. So does Gucci. I would still favor the Gooch but I wouldn't count Manel out.
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