The upcoming months feature major matchups as the UFC prepares for upcoming numbered events. UFC 335 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena on December 12, followed by UFC 336 on January 30 in Toronto, marking the promotion’s return to the city for a numbered event.
Upcoming UFC Events and Press Conference Drama
UFC 335 features a BMF title bout between Charles Oliveira and Diego Lopes, alongside Alex Pereira facing Sergei Pavlovich in the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, UFC 336 showcases Joshua Van defending his flyweight title against Manel Kape, and Carlos Prates fighting Michael Morales for the interim welterweight championship.
To promote both cards, the organization hosted a joint kickoff press conference and face-offs at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring all eight fighters.
Manel Kape Seizes the Championship Belt
Capitalizing on an ongoing rivalry, Kape took advantage of the champion’s empty podium while Van remained absent from the stage. The challenger approached the table, lifted the flyweight championship, placed it over his own shoulder, and mocked the missing titleholder.
Addressing UFC CEO Dana White, Kape said, “Dana, what the f**k! You forget the address for the school bus? Where is my son? I don’t see my son here.”
Van eventually reached the venue after White finished the face-offs and retrieved his championship from Kape. Travel complications caused multiple missed flights, which delayed the Burmese fighter’s journey, as Van explained on Instagram by writing, “Thx God we gon Make it to press conference. After we miss a couple of flights.”
Since capturing the title after Alexandre Pantoja’s injury in December, Van has successfully defended the belt twice, defeating Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 and overcoming Pantoja in a rematch at UFC 331 this past September, leading to his upcoming bout against Kape.
