Things got heated between former UFC bantamweight contender Ian McCall and Manel Kape at the Rizin weigh-ins on Thursday.
McCall, who will square off with Kape a streaking Portuguese fighter with a definite size advantage and a proven knack for the finish in the Rizin Grand Prix bantamweight quarterfinals on Friday, got into a physical altercation as they actually traded blows.
Clip of the incident has emerged, and it was clearly seen that Kape slapped McCall in the back of the head following their staredown and McCall retaliated with a punch.
Kape tried to fire back with a punch of his own, but McCall escape, and officials had to separate them.
Check out the video below.
McCall wrote on Twitter afterward that it was a slap, not a punch.
It was a slap. If my hand was closed he would have dropped https://t.co/SE8zcJh1pu
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 28, 2017
“It was a slap. If my hand was closed he would have dropped.”
Excuse me? He slapped me first he’s lucky I only slapped him back. Go cry yourself to sleep now. https://t.co/qyq5h5Nmfp
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 28, 2017
It was a slap. If my hand was closed he would have dropped https://t.co/SE8zcJh1pu
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 28, 2017
McCall hasn’t fought since he dropped a decision to John Lineker at UFC 183 and has been out of action due to a series of injuries and illnesses. McCall decided to quit with the UFC in October 2017 and promptly scooped up by Japanese PRIDE-revival Rizin Fighting Federation and exciting to take part in bantamweight Grand Prix.
Manel Kape last fought at Marine Messe Fukuoka in Fukuoka, Japan, where he knocked out Erson Yamamoto in the opening round of the Grand Prix tournament.
The event is taking place tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 29 at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena and the winner will advance to the semifinals of the Grand Prix.
