MANCHESTER, England – Coach Eric Nicksick discovered himself caught in the midst of Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev’s altercation on the host resort, and he didn’t see it coming.

Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) faces Mokaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 304 from Co-op Reside. Tensions have been boiling between the 2 top-ranked flyweights, who engaged in a brawl on the fighter resort simply days out from their battle. Kape’s coach Nicksick explains that Mokaev set Kape up after initiating dialog in a pleasant method.

“It was a really bizarre scenario,” Nicksick advised MMA Junkie. “As a result of we have been all strolling again into the resort after which Mokaev and his crew have been popping out, they have been very peaceable, and Mokaev needed to take an image with Manel. He mentioned, ‘For our Muslim brothers, let’s take an image for peace,’ and Manel agreed to that image. It simply felt bizarre.

“The entire scenario sort of felt bizarre, however I turned my again to speak to Oban Elliott after which unexpectedly when Manel posed for that image, Mokaev like sucker punched him. So, this complete factor ensued. It was so complicated for me as a result of I rotated and unexpectedly there’s simply commotion behind me.”

Their unhealthy blood spilled over into the ceremonial weigh-ins, the place Mokaev charged at Kape earlier than the pair have been separated. Nicksick thinks it’s a ploy from Mokaev and his crew to throw Kape off his recreation.

Safety took ZERO CHANCES letting Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape get shut at #UFC304 ceremonial weigh-ins 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/MvkNRz8V9A

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 26, 2024

“It’s very sensible on the Mokaev crew,” Nicksick mentioned. “I really feel like what they’re attempting to do is get Manel to battle this battle emotionally and to battle out of his techniques in being exact and being correct with the battle. So, good on them in a method, however we are able to’t take that bait. We received to battle sensible, and that’s what we received to show tomorrow.”

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