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Manel Kape’s First Taste of MMA Success
Manel Kape is known for his dynamic striking, confident persona, and unapologetic opinions, but his journey into MMA wasn’t always met with encouragement. In a recent interview, Kape shared a heartfelt story about his early struggles in the sport and how he ultimately won over his biggest critic—his mother.
MANEL KAPE on MOKAEV/IZZY BEEF, PANTOJA REMATCH?! | EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! – YouTube
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Kape comes from a boxing family, with his father being a former world champion. Despite this, both of his parents were initially against him pursuing MMA. His father preferred that he continue with soccer, believing that it was a more stable and lucrative career path. His mother, on the other hand, saw MMA as a dangerous and financially unreliable endeavor.
In his early years, Kape trained in secret, hiding his passion for MMA from his parents. But everything changed when he fought professionally for the first time at just 17 years old. With his mother’s reluctant approval—secured only after signing with her consent—he stepped into the cage and won his first fight, earning €450. It wasn’t just the money that changed things; it was what he did with it.
Kape immediately gave €200 to his mother, a symbolic gesture to show that he could support himself and contribute to the family. That moment marked a turning point. His mother, who had once dismissed MMA, began preparing his meals, ensuring he had the right nutrition for his training camps. This small yet significant act showed her newfound support for her son’s career. For Kape, despite earning much larger paychecks now, that €450 remains the most meaningful money he’s ever made.
“Honestly, even a million dollars won’t taste as good as that €450. That was the moment I proved myself,” Kape recalled.
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BJJ Origins
Manel Kape’s Take on BJJ: “I Thought It Was Gay”
Beyond his inspiring family story, Kape also touched on a more humorous and controversial topic—his initial perception of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Like many fighters who come from a striking background, Kape was skeptical about grappling when he first encountered it.
He recounted a moment in his teenage years when his best friend, a BJJ practitioner, tried to explain the art’s effectiveness. Kape, convinced that his hands were all he needed, scoffed at the idea of rolling around on the ground.
“I thought this was some gay stuff,” he admitted, laughing at his younger self’s ignorance.
That perception changed quickly when his friend took him down and controlled him with ease. Unable to move, Kape had a revelation—BJJ was far from what he assumed.
From that moment on, he became obsessed with learning the ground game, recognizing its importance in MMA. Now, despite being known for his striking, Kape takes pride in his well-rounded skill set, boasting multiple submission wins in his career.
While his early comments on BJJ were rooted in ignorance, Kape’s story is a reminder of how fighters evolve in both mindset and skill. His initial resistance to grappling transformed into a deep appreciation, proving that in MMA, adaptation is key. Now, Kape gets to test himself once again on the biggest stage as he headlines UFC Vegas 103 this weekend!
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