The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to kick off 2024 with an exciting fight card on January 13, 2024 at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2. The event will host multiple fights full of exciting mixed martial arts practitioners fighting in the promotion at Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The co-main event of the evening will feature Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau in a flyweight showdown.
Matheus Nicolau is a prominent professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2010 against Pedro Alves Chalita. He made quick work of Chalita by dispatching him in the first round with the help of a rear-naked choke. He amassed a seven-fight winning streak before suffering his first professional loss at the hands of Pedro Nobre on December 9, 2010. He is currently ranked 5 in the promotion’s flyweight division.
Matheus Nicolau’s rival for his upcoming fight, Manel Kape is a former Rizin FC bantamweight champion. Kape made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2012 against Artur Gomes at Cage Fighters 2. He swiftly shut Gomes’ lights off and registered a first-round TKO win to kick off his professional career. After attaining a winning streak of 4 fights, Kape suffered his first loss against Souksavanah Khampasath on April 5 2014. Manel Kape progressed further and made his UFC debut where he is ranked 6th in the promotion’s flyweight rankings.
Matheus Nicolau vs Manel Kape Stats
| Stats | Matheus Nicolau | Manel Kape |
| Record | 19-3-(1) (6 KOs) | 19-6 (11 KOs) |
| Championship | - | - |
| Age | 30 | 30 |
| Height | 1.68m | 1.68m |
| Division(s) | Flyweight | Flyweight |
| Reach | 66” | 68” |
| Win Streak (Active) | 0 | 4 |
| Professional Debut | 2010 | 2012 |
Matheus Nicolau Losses
Matheus Nicolau has suffered three losses in his professional career. His first loss came against Pedro Nobre on December 9, 2012, when he shut his lights off in the first round and win via TKO. Nicolau suffered his second professional loss while competing in UFC against Dustin Ortiz on July 28, 2018. Nicolau was knocked out by Ortiz in the first round to pick up the win against him. Matheus Nicolau was defeated for the third time in his professional career by Brandon Royval on April 15, 2023, via first-round knockout.
Matheus Nicolau Record
Matheus Nicolau has a professional record of 19 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 19–3–1 | Brandon Royval | KO (knee and elbows) | UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen | April 15, 2023 | 1 | 2:09 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 19–2–1 | Matt Schnell | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland | December 3, 2022 | 2 | 1:44 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 18–2–1 | David Dvořák | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus | March 26, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 17–2–1 | Tim Elliott | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez | October 8, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–2–1 | Manel Kape | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad | March 13, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 15–2–1 | Felipe Efrain | Decision (unanimous) | Brave CF 25 | August 30, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 14–2–1 | Alan Gabriel | Submission (japanese necktie) | Future FC 5 | May 24, 2019 | 1 | 1:18 | São Paulo, Brazil | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 13–2–1 | Dustin Ortiz | KO (head kick and punches) | UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 | July 28, 2018 | 1 | 3:49 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 13–1–1 | Louis Smolka | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 219 | December 30, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–1–1 | John Moraga | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | July 8, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–1–1 | Bruno Mesquita | Submission (japanese necktie) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 | November 7, 2015 | 3 | 3:27 | São Paulo, Brazil | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 10–1–1 | Derinaldo Guerra da Silva | KO (punch) | Shooto Brazil 49 | August 24, 2014 | 2 | 4:35 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–1–1 | Pedro Arruda | KO (punch) | Brazil Fight 8 | June 6, 2014 | 1 | 2:49 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–1–1 | Vanderlei Carvalho Leite | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto Brazil 45 | December 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 7–1–1 | Pedro Nobre | TKO (punches) | Bitetti Combat 13 | December 9, 2012 | 1 | 3:11 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Bitetti Combat Flyweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 7–0–1 | Denison Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat 13 | December 9, 2012 | 2 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Bitetti Combat Flyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 6–0–1 | Larry Passos Vargas | KO (punches) | Brazil Fight 6 | September 21, 2012 | 3 | 4:09 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0–1 | Gilberto Dias | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto Brazil 31 | June 29, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Michael Daboville | Submission (triangle choke) | Lions FC 2 | March 12, 2012 | 1 | N/A | Neuchâtel, Switzerland | |
| Win | 3–0–1 | Damien Pighiera | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Lions FC 1 | October 15, 2011 | 2 | 4:26 | Neuchâtel, Switzerland | |
| Draw | 2–0–1 | Larry Passos Vargas | Draw (unanimous) | Brazil Fight 5 | September 3, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Fernando Silva | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Brazil Fight 4 | April 9, 2011 | 2 | N/A | Nova Lima, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Pedro Alves Chalita | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pedro Leopoldo Extreme Fight | August 7, 2010 | 1 | 1:35 | Pedro Leopoldo, Brazil |
Manel Kape Record
Manel Kape has won 19 fights and lost 6 in his professional mixed martial arts career.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 19–6 | Felipe dos Santos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 293 | September 10, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 18–6 | David Dvořák | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland | December 17, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–6 | Zhalgas Zhumagulov | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo | December 4, 2021 | 1 | 4:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–6 | Ode' Osbourne | KO (flying knee and punches) | UFC 265 | August 7, 2021 | 1 | 4:44 | Houston, Texas, United States | Catchweight (129 lb) bout; Kape missed weight. |
| Loss | 15–6 | Matheus Nicolau | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad | March 13, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–5 | Alexandre Pantoja | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov | February 6, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 15–4 | Kai Asakura | TKO (punches) | Rizin 20 | December 31, 2019 | 2 | 0:38 | Saitama, Japan | Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–4 | Takeya Mizugaki | KO (punch) | Rizin 18 | August 18, 2019 | 2 | 1:36 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 13–4 | Seiichiro Ito | TKO (punch to the body) | Rizin 15 | April 21, 2019 | 2 | 3:59 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Ulka Sasaki | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 14 | December 31, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 12–3 | Yusaku Nakamura | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rizin 13 | September 30, 2018 | 3 | 4:27 | Saitama, Japan | Flyweight bout. |
| Loss | 11–3 | Kai Asakura | Decision (split) | Rizin 10 | May 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Kyoji Horiguchi | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round | December 31, 2017 | 3 | 4:27 | Saitama, Japan | 2017 Rizin Bantamweight Grand-Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 11–1 | Ian McCall | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round | December 29, 2017 | 1 | 1:46 | Saitama, Japan | 2017 Rizin Bantamweight Grand-Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 10–1 | Erson Yamamoto | TKO (head kick and punch) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round Part 2 | October 15, 2017 | 1 | 1:11 | Saitama, Japan | 2017 Rizin Bantamweight Grand-Prix First Round. |
| Win | 9–1 | Francisco Javier Asprilla | TKO (punches) | International Pro Combat 7 | April 27, 2015 | 3 | 4:59 | Lisbon, Portugal | |
| Win | 8–1 | Antoine Gallinaro | Submission (armbar) | Knock Out Championship 8 | April 18, 2015 | 4 | 2:26 | Cognac, France | Won the KOC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Miguel Valverde | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Invictus Pro MMA League 2 | December 19, 2014 | 3 | N/A | Porto, Portugal | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 6–1 | Daniel Barez | Submission (armbar) | Ansgar Fighting League 2 | November 29, 2014 | 1 | 3:25 | Madrid, Spain | |
| Win | 5–1 | Hicham Rachid | KO (flying knee to the body) | Invictus Pro MMA League 1 | July 27, 2014 | 1 | 2:42 | Porto, Portugal | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Souksavanh Khampasath | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Knock Out Championship 7 | April 5, 2014 | 3 | 3:27 | Cognac, France | |
| Win | 4–0 | Marco Santos | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Fighters 3 | July 28, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Matosinhos, Portugal | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ricardo Teixeira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Fighters: Challengers Norte 2 | February 3, 2013 | 1 | 2:38 | Matosinhos, Portugal | |
| Win | 2–0 | Renato Ferreira | TKO (punches) | Cage Fighters: Challengers Norte 1 | November 4, 2012 | 1 | 0:45 | Matosinhos, Portugal | |
| Win | 1–0 | Artur Gomes | TKO (punches) | Cage Fighters 2 | May 13, 2012 | 1 | 4:27 | Matosinhos, Portugal | Flyweight debut. |
FAQs
A. Matheus Nicolau is fighting Manel Kape in his upcoming fight.
A. Matheus Nicolau has a professional MMA record of 19 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw.
A. Manel Kape a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 6 losses.
A. He is ranked as No.5 in the UFC flyweight division.
A. Manel Kape is ranked No. 6 in the UFC flyweight division.
