UFC champ Joshua Van says Manel Kape 'lied' about fight offer

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van wants to set the record straight when it comes to things contender Manel Kape said recently. Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was recently booked for his first title defense against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327. It was a somewhat surprising move for some, considering Kape (22-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has a strong case for a title shot as the winner of three straight fights by stoppage, while Taira is on back-to-back wins.

Before Van's fight against Taira was set, he threw out a few feelers on social media, which prompted a response from Kape. "We're all waiting for u to sign for March 7th," Kape wrote on X . "What's the delay?

Pen out of ink or hands shaking? " According to Van, that's not how things went down. "I like Manel, you know what I mean?

He's a good guy, it's just that he just lied too much, so I just want to put it out there," Van told MMA Junkie Radio. "I don't hate no fighters or nothing. I like the guy, I respect him.