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In the world of mixed martial arts, where warriors clash within the octagon, fighters are expected to adhere to a code of honor. One fundamental aspect of this code is making weight before the fight, ensuring a fair and even playing field. Unfortunately, not everyone seems to respect this code, as evidenced by the recent fallout between Matheus Nicolau and Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 84.
The stage was set for an intense showdown between Nicolau and Kape, but the bout was marred when Kape missed weight by a staggering 3.5 pounds. This not only jeopardized the fight but also triggered a fiery response from Nicolau, who didn't hold back in expressing his disappointment and frustration.
Nicolau, a seasoned UFC flyweight, took to social media to call out Kape's actions, labeling him as "irresponsible, reckless, and disrespectful." The Brazilian fighter accused Kape of attempting to gain an unfair advantage by, in his words, "cheating the system."
"I went through that entire war. I’ve been cutting weight for 5 weeks now with a restrictive diet. Today, I woke up at 5 am to finish the process and weigh in at the 126 pounds, what was needed for the fight to happen. Kape didn’t," Nicolau stated in his scathing remarks.
In the aftermath of the weight miss, Kape claimed to be sick two weeks prior to the fight and alleged that Nicolau refused a catchweight bout. However, Nicolau wasn't having any of it, dismissing Kape's excuses as mere attempts to shift blame.
The consequences were clear – the highly anticipated Nicolau vs. Kape clash was canceled. UFC Vegas 84, however, soldiers on with an 11-fight card, now headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker.
As Nicolau vs. Kape fades away, a new co-main event takes shape, featuring a lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Gabriel Benitez. The show must go on, but the echoes of Nicolau's disappointment and Kape's alleged disrespect will undoubtedly linger in the minds of MMA fans, leaving a weighty mark on the sport.
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