Coach Eric Nicksick believes Muhammad Mokaev wants Manel Kape to fight "emotionally" at UFC 304, details "weird" hotel brawl
Flyweights Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape are set to fight this weekend at the Co-op Live in Manchester on the early prelims card of UFC 304. Tensions are running high, and both men have already clashed multiple times in the lead-up.
Earlier this week, they got into a physical altercation at the fighter hotel. As Kape's coach, Eric Nicksick, explains it, Mokaev initially approached them in the guise of peace and suggested that he and 'Starboy' take a picture together before turning violent:
"It was a very weird situation because we were all walking back into the hotel and Mokaev and his team were coming out, they were very peaceful... He said, 'For our Muslim brothers, let's take a picture for peace...' But I turned my back to talk to Oban Elliot, and then when all of a sudden Manel posed for that picture, Mokaev like sucker punched him. So this whole thing ensued. It was so confusing."
The unpleasantries continued as Mokaev lunged at his opponent during the pair's ceremonial weigh-ins, necessitating security intervention to separate both men.
Watch Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape's scuffle at the weigh-ins below:
Nicksick is convinced that these pre-fight aggressions from 'The Punisher' are a gambit to force his pupil to fight "emotionally." He told MMA Junkie:
"It's very smart on Mokaev's team. I feel like what they are trying to do is get Manel to fight this fight emotionally and to fight out of his tactics in being precise and accurate with the fight. So good on them in a way, but we can't take the bait. We got to fight smart and that's what we got to prove tomorrow."
Catch Eric Nicksick's comments on Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape's brawl below (0:25):
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape: Betting odds
No.6-ranked flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev (12-0) will face No.8-ranked Manel Kape (19-6) this weekend. Let's examine how oddsmakers see the matchup.
According to Duelbits, this is a close affair with Mokaev as a -141 favorite and Kape as a +115 underdog.
This means a successful $100 bet on the Russian-born Englishman at UFC 304 will return a payout of $170.92, while the same wager on Kape will result in a more lucrative winning of $215 in 'Starboy' gets his hand raised.