Matheus Nicolau out to show new tools in Manel Kape rematch at UFC Fight Night 234

LAS VEGAS – Matheus Nicolau already proved he has what it takes to beat Manel Kape. Yet, the UFC flyweight contender plans to bring new things to the table in their rematch.

Nicolau (19-4-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) collide for a second time this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 234. The Brazilian is keeping in mind the things that helped him beat Kape in 2021, but he’s also looking to show new tools in the octagon.

“We always try to bring some new things,” Nicolau told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 234 media day. “I’m always training a lot, since my last fight in the beginning of last year I had a long time to train. Thank God I had no injuries, so I could focus a lot on training. That was my No. 1 focus ever, to train to get better.

“So for sure I’ll try to bring something new, and I also want to make the weapons that I already have even better, even sharper.”

Kape has already predicted a first-round finish for himself. Nicolau will try to match him, but he’s also ready to go the distance once again.

“I’m ready for the hard 15 minutes,” Nicolau said. “This is a high-level matchup so you have to be ready to fight a very hard 15 minutes., but I think the core of the martial arts is to finish the fight, so I’ll keep that in mind, but I’m in no shush to do that. I just want o keep focused and do my best performance I’ve ever done inside the octagon.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 234.