Manel Kape dismisses Sean Strickland gym conflict: 'He loves attention'

UFC flyweight Manel Kape has downplayed his recent social media clash with middleweight champion Sean Strickland, saying the online feud won't cause issues at Xtreme Couture despite both men training under the same roof in Las Vegas.

The exchange started days after Kape knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Vegas 119 in June, when Strickland fired off insults aimed at Kape's manager Ali Abdelaziz before accusing the flyweight contender of cheating, MMA Fighting reports. Kape responded by calling out Strickland for avoiding his manager in person and accused the middleweight of playing tough guy. The messages got personal fast, but Kape told MMA Fighting he isn't concerned about running into Strickland at their shared gym under coach Eric Nicksick.

Kape on weight class and confidence

"There is nothing," Kape said. "Some people just talk a lot and we have to put people in their place. It doesn't matter what weight class. Some people we have to show who's the true people. Who is the bully and who is not the bully. People confuse sometimes weight with confidence. It's nothing." Kape added that Strickland "wants attention. He loves attention," and insisted both fighters can handle their business like adults.

Kape has form when it comes to verbal jousting with middleweights. Years back he sparred with then-champion Israel Adesanya after Adesanya pulled out of a bout against Kape's teammate Kai Kara-France. That confrontation never went physical, and Kape expects the same outcome with Strickland. He isn't chasing a problem but won't back down just because the other guy weighs forty pounds more.

The two are unlikely to cross paths immediately. Kape is taking time off after his June win while Strickland has left Las Vegas for American Top Team in Florida, where he's helping Johnny Eblen prepare for a PFL title fight. Kape said he's trained alongside Strickland before and expects it to happen again without drama. "We're the same city, same gyms and everything. So we've crossed," he said. "Believe me, I'm so confident in myself. We'll see if it's awkward. Some people online. Others are good in real life. We're good."

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• MMA Fighting — Manel Kape on recent conflict with Sean Strickland with both training at same gym: ‘He loves attention’