UFC Tampa: Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva: Live round-by-round updates
A flyweight bout between Manel Kape and Bruno Silva will feature on the main card of UFC Tampa later tonight (Dec.14) at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Kape (19-7) is one of the mainstays of the division. Before his unanimous decision loss against Muhammad Mokaev in July, 'Starboy' was on a four-fight win streak. Kape is a former RIZIN bantamweight champion and boasts a win against former UFC flyweight title challenger Kai Asakura.
Silva (14-5-1 and 1 NC), meanwhile is on a dream run. He is on a four-fight win streak, most recently claiming a second-round TKO over Cody Durden in July. A win this weekend would help 'Bulldog' claim his opponent's No.9 spot on the divisional rankings.
Per Bet365, Kape is a -400 favorite for the match-up with Silva as a +300 underdog. The main card of the event is now live. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from the fight card.
Check out the full fighter face-offs below:
UFC Tampa: Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva
Round 1
Silva explodes with a 1-2 right off the bat snapping his opponent's head back. Kape is committing to leg kicks as he tries to make his way into range. 'Bullgod' eats a punch up top. Kape once again puts his opponent on notice with a left hand.
'Stardoy' seems to be efficient with his punches landing most of what he throws. An accidental low blow by Silva momentarily halts the fight.
Kape is in the zone efficiently pouncing in and out of range stinging his opponent with crisp 1-2s. 'Bulldog' commits another low blow this time he gets a stern warning from the referee.
Kape tries to catch his opponent coming in with a knee but misses by mere inches. A close round but 'Starboy' might have edged it out with his accurate striking.
Our score: 10-9 Kape
Round 2
Failing to enter into range amid Kape's efficient striking, Silva tries a level change unsuccessfully. Kape wobbles Silva with a flurry, he taunts his opponent and lands another left hand up top.
Another low blow by Silva halts the action. Kape seems to be in real pain. This time the referee deducts a point from 'Bulldog'. As the fight restarts 'Bulldog' comes in with reckless abandon. He misses with a spinning kick to the head and then eats a flurry of shots
Kape is going ballistic, almost landing a will. 'Starboy' showboats as he evades a flurry from his opponent. 'Starboy' is in full control. He is picking Silva apart from range as well as efficiently closing the distance to make it a dog fight when he fancies it.
Blood is gushing out of 'Bulldog's' face. A dominant round for Kape.
Our score: 10-8 Kape
Round 3
'Bulldog' explodes with a reckless flurry and stuns Kape. 'Starboy' however recomposes himself and lands a few shots on his opponent effectively halting his gun's blazing approach.
An accurate flurry from Kape stuns his Silva, forcing him to retreat to the cage wall. A few more hard shots and 'Bulldog' crumbles to the ground. What a finish. Kape is the victor.
Official result: Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva via TKO. (1:57 of Round 3)
Check out Manel Kape celebrate his UFC Tampa win below: