The UFC Vegas 84 co-main event between Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau was cancelled after Kape missed weight, with Kape later revealing he had been sick prior to the fight and claiming Nicolau refused to accept a catchweight bout.
So, the UFC Vegas 84 co-main event? It’s off. Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau were supposed to face off, but Kape didn’t make weight. That’s the word from UFC and Nevada Athletic Commission officials, who confirmed it to MMA Fighting on Friday.
Kape was over by 3.5 pounds. That’s a no-go for a non-title flyweight fight, which has a 126-pound limit. Will the bout be rescheduled? UFC officials aren’t sure yet.
At first, MMA Fighting reported that the fight would still happen. It was going to be a catchweight bout, with Kape giving up 25% of his purse to Nicolau. But nope, it’s been scrapped.
Kape shared some details later. He was sick two weeks before the fight. He also said Nicolau wouldn’t agree to the catchweight bout.
“Guys, I couldn’t make the weight this time. Two weeks ago, I was super sick. Caught a virus here in Vegas. Had to skip training for five days, and I was loaded up with antibiotics. It wasn’t just me; it hit a bunch of my training partners too.”
“My coaches and manager thought I should cancel the fight. I was in bad shape. But I decided to push through. My opponent wouldn’t fight or take my purse.”
“I was ready to give him my entire purse if he’d fight. But it is what it is. I take full responsibility.”
“Last year, I had five fights canceled. One time, my opponent was 11 pounds over, but I still agreed to fight.”
“Big thanks to all the UFC Performance Institute nutritionists who tried to help me make weight. See you guys soon.”
Nicolau? We couldn’t reach him for a comment.
This was supposed to be a rematch. Nicolau beat Kape in a split decision at UFC Vegas 21 in March 2021. This is the second time Kape has missed weight for a flyweight bout. He was three pounds over for a fight with Ode Osbourne in August 2021.
So what’s happening now? A lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Gabriel Benitez has been moved up. It’s the new co-main event for UFC Vegas 84, headlined by a light heavyweight title rematch between Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev. The event’s at UFC APEX in Las Vegas and will be on ESPN+.