Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Manel Kape is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Manel Kape is an Angolan‑born Portuguese MMA fighter competing in the UFC flyweight division, known for his explosive style and the nickname “Starboy.” He turned professional in 2012, built his name in Rizin before moving to UFC, and by late 2025 he was ranked among the top flyweights in the world.
Manel Kape’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Manuel Pedro Gomes |
| Nickname | StarBoy / Musa Masha’Allah |
| Date of Birth | November 14, 1993 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Luanda, Angola |
| Nationality | Angolan-Portuguese |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Reach | 68″ (172.72 cm) |
| Weight Class | Flyweight (125 lbs / 56.7 kg) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | Islam (converted January 2024; previously Christian) |
| Turned Professional | 2012 |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $350,000–$400,000 |
| Annual Salary | Estimated $150,000–$400,000+ (fight-dependent) |
| Spouse | Julia Kukharchuk |
| Children | One daughter, Amy |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| @manelkape | |
| Manager | Ali Abdelaziz |
| Training Base | AKA Thailand, Xtreme Couture, Las Vegas area |
| Primary Coach | Luliia Kukharchuk |
Early Career
Kape’s rise in combat sports began long before he stepped into the UFC Octagon. He made his professional mixed martial arts debut at just seventeen years old on May 13, 2012, at Cage Fighters 2, defeating Artur Gomes via first-round TKO. His early career was marked by incredible consistency and finishing ability. Between 2012 and 2014, Kape compiled an impressive record fighting primarily in Portugal and European promotions like Cage Fighters, Knock Out Championship, and Invictus Pro League.
He won his first title, the KOC France Bantamweight Championship, in 2015 by defeating Antoine Gallinaro via submission (armbar) in the fourth round. His amateur record before turning professional was an impressive 11-0, and he was twice named the best fighter in Portugal’s ADC league, establishing himself as a future prospect in combat sports.
Professional Career
Manel Kape’s professional mixed martial arts career spans over thirteen years of elite-level competition. His journey took a significant turn when he moved to Japan to compete in Rizin Fighting Federation, where he faced some of the world’s best bantamweights and flyweights. At Rizin, Kape earned championship gold, becoming the Rizin Bantamweight Champion. During his tenure in Japan, he faced legendary competitors including Kyoji Horiguchi (lost via submission in the RIZIN Grand Prix Final), Takeya Mizugaki (won via knockout), and Yuta Sasaki (lost via decision). These experiences against UFC veterans and top international fighters sharpened his skills and prepared him for the global stage.
In March 2020, Kape signed a four-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, becoming the first Portuguese-Angolan fighter to secure a UFC contract. He made his promotional debut on February 6, 2021, against Alexandre Pantoja, losing via unanimous decision. After another loss to Matheus Nicolau in a split decision controversy, Kape bounced back with one of the most explosive first-round knockout wins in UFC flyweight history against Ode’ Osbourne at UFC 265. Since that momentum-shifting victory, he has compiled a 6-1 record in the UFC with nine victories inside the promotion overall, ranking him #6 in the flyweight division. His recent victory over Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112, where he delivered a devastating knockout in the first round, has solidified his position as a legitimate title contender seeking a shot at the championship.
Wife
Manel Kape is married to Julia Kukharchuk, his longtime striking coach and personal mentor. The couple maintains an extraordinarily private relationship compared to many UFC fighters, rarely posting together on social media or discussing their marriage publicly. Julia is a World Karate Champion who has competing in international tournaments including the 1st World Karate Games, where she earned first place in both kata and kumite disciplines. She has been Kape’s principal coach since 2014, orchestrating his entire fight camp preparations, designing his fight strategies, and working his striking combinations during training sessions.
Manel Kape’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Manel Kape’s estimated net worth ranges between $350,000 and $400,000. This figure reflects his earnings from UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorship deals, and other income sources accumulated since his professional debut in 2012. However, it’s important to note that like most mid-career UFC fighters, exact figures remain difficult to verify as many purses are confidential.
His most lucrative paydays have come in recent years as his ranking and popularity have increased. At UFC 293 in September 2023, Kape earned a total of $151,000 against Felipe dos Santos, which included a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. His bout against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in July 2024 netted him approximately $90,000. For his December 2024 fight against Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC on ESPN 63, estimates suggest he earned around $140,000, including his win bonus. Most recently, at UFC Vegas 112 in December 2025, Kape earned an estimated $183,500 total, which consisted of $51,000 show money, $51,000 win bonus, $6,000 in sponsorship pay (Venum), and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his first-round knockout of Brandon Royval.
Fight Purses
| Event | Date | Opponent | Result | Show Money | Win Bonus | Bonuses | Sponsorship | Total Estimated |
| UFC Vegas 112 | Dec 14, 2025 | Brandon Royval | W (KO R1) | $51,000 | $51,000 | $50,000 (PN) | $6,000 | $183,500 |
| UFC on ESPN 63 | Dec 14, 2024 | Bruno Gustavo da Silva | W (TKO R3) | ~$80,000 | ~$80,000 | ~$25,000 (varied bonuses) | ~$4,500 | ~$189,500 |
| UFC Fight Night 253 | Mar 1, 2025 | Asu Almabayev | W (TKO R3) | $51,000 | $51,000 | $50,000 (PN) | $6,000 | $158,000 |
| UFC 304 | Jul 27, 2024 | Muhammad Mokaev | L (Decision) | ~$50,000 | $0 | $0 | ~$4,500 | ~$54,500 |
| UFC 293 | Sep 9, 2023 | Felipe dos Santos | W (Decision) | ~$50,000 | ~$50,000 | $50,000 (FOTN) | ~$2,000 | $151,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 216 | Dec 17, 2022 | David Dvorak | W (Decision) | ~$40,000 | ~$40,000 | $0 | ~$2,500 | ~$82,500 |
| UFC on ESPN 31 | Dec 4, 2021 | Zhalgas Zhumagulov | W (TKO R1) | ~$20,000 | ~$20,000 | $0 | ~$2,000 | ~$42,000 |
| UFC 265 | Aug 7, 2021 | Ode’ Osbourne | W (KO R1) | ~$15,000 | ~$15,000 | $0 | ~$1,500 | ~$31,500 |
Endorsements
- Equip Your Gym – His primary and most visible endorsement partnership, regularly featured across his social media platforms
- Venum – Official UFC merchandise and apparel sponsor providing fight week incentive payments ($4,000–$6,000 per appearance)
- Jose Cuervo Tequila – Brand partnership and promotional collaboration
- Jose Cuervo – Spirits endorsement deal
- Various Supplement Brands – Occasional partnerships with nutrition and performance supplement companies
- AKA Thailand – Affiliation with the renowned training facility, which occasionally serves as a platform for brand collaborations
- Xtreme Couture – Training facility partnership, increasing his visibility within the combat sports community
Career Record
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method | Round | Notable Context |
| Brandon Royval | UFC Vegas 112 | Dec 14, 2025 | W | KO (Punches) | R1 | Recent win; set up potential title shot |
| Asu Almabayev | UFC Fight Night 253 | Mar 1, 2025 | W | TKO (Retirement) | R3 | Performance of the Night bonus |
| Bruno Gustavo da Silva | UFC on ESPN 63 | Dec 14, 2024 | W | TKO (Body Kick & Punches) | R3 | Comeback victory after low-blows |
| Muhammad Mokaev | UFC 304 | Jul 27, 2024 | L | Decision (Unanimous) | R3 | Controversial fight; altercation with opposing team |
| Felipe dos Santos | UFC 293 | Sep 9, 2023 | W | Decision (Unanimous) | R3 | Fight of the Night bonus ($50,000) |
| David Dvorak | UFC Fight Night 216 | Dec 17, 2022 | W | Decision (Unanimous) | R3 | Breakthrough performance in UFC |
| Zhalgas Zhumagulov | UFC on ESPN 31 | Dec 4, 2021 | W | TKO (Punches) | R1 | Impressive first-round finish |
| Ode’ Osbourne | UFC 265 | Aug 7, 2021 | W | KO (Flying Knee & Punches) | R1 | Momentum shift after UFC start |
| Matheus Nicolau | UFC Fight Night 187 | Mar 13, 2021 | L | Decision (Split) | R3 | Controversial split decision loss |
| Alexandre Pantoja | UFC Fight Night 184 | Feb 6, 2021 | L | Decision (Unanimous) | R3 | UFC promotional debut |
| Kai Asakura | RIZIN 20 | Dec 31, 2019 | W | TKO (Punches) | R2 | RIZIN record: 12-4 |
| Takeya Mizugaki | RIZIN 18 | Aug 18, 2019 | W | KO (Punch) | R2 | Dominant victory over UFC veteran |
| Yuta Sasaki | RIZIN 14 | Dec 31, 2018 | L | Decision (Unanimous) | R3 | Loss in RIZIN tenure |
| Kyoji Horiguchi | RIZIN Grand Prix Final | Dec 31, 2017 | L | Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | R3 | RIZIN Grand Prix tournament final |
| Ian McCall | RIZIN Grand Prix 2nd Round | Dec 29, 2017 | W | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | R1 | Physical weigh-in altercation with McCall |
FAQs
1. What is Manel Kape’s real name and why is he called “StarBoy”?
His real name is Manuel Pedro Gomes. The nickname “StarBoy” originated during his amateur fighting career when he competed against fighters considerably older than himself and consistently achieved victory. He later adopted the name Musa Masha’Allah after converting to Islam in January 2024. He now goes by both “StarBoy” and “Musa” interchangeably in his professional fighting career.
2. How much money does Manel Kape make per fight?
Manel Kape’s earnings vary significantly based on opponent rank, event significance, and performance bonuses. Early in his UFC career, he earned around $15,000–$40,000 per fight. As his ranking improved, typical purses increased to $50,000–$80,000 for show money and equal amounts for wins. His most recent high-profile fight against Brandon Royval in December 2025 resulted in total estimated earnings of $183,500, including the $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Title-level opportunities will likely command six-figure base purses.
3. Is Manel Kape married, and does he have children?
Yes, Manel Kape is married to Julia Kukharchuk, a former World Karate Champion who now serves as his primary striking coach. Together they have one daughter, Amy, born in March 2021. The couple maintains an exceptionally private relationship, rarely sharing personal details publicly. Julia holds a P-1S visa allowing her to legally work as Kape’s essential support staff in the United States.
4. Why did Manel Kape convert to Islam?
In January 2024, Kape publicly announced his conversion to Islam and took the name Musa Masha’Allah. While the specific reason for his conversion hasn’t been publicly detailed by Kape himself, it’s widely believed that his association with Team Khabib and manager Ali Abdelaziz influenced this spiritual decision. Kape trains regularly at AKA Thailand and Las Vegas facilities where Islam is deeply practiced among the fighter community. The conversion represents a personal spiritual journey and commitment to Islamic principles.
5. What is Manel Kape’s current UFC ranking?
As of January 2026, Manel Kape is ranked #6 in the UFC flyweight division. Following his dominant knockout victory over Brandon Royval in December 2025, where he earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, speculation has intensified about a potential title shot. His consistent performances and exciting fighting style have elevated his profile significantly within the organization.
6. What are Manel Kape’s best finishes and knockout records?
Manel Kape is tied for the second-most knockouts in UFC flyweight division history with five knockout victories. He has earned a total of thirteen wins via knockout or TKO across his entire professional career. His most spectacular finishes include the flying knee to Ode’ Osbourne at UFC 265, the devastating first-round knockout of Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112, and his crushing performance against Asu Almabayev that resulted in a retirement TKO. His nearly 75% finishing rate makes him one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster.
7. Where does Manel Kape train and who are his coaches?
Kape’s primary training base is AKA Thailand, where he trains alongside elite fighters including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. He also trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas under coach Eric Nicksick, training alongside fighters like Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland. His principal coach is Luliia Kukharchuk, his wife, who is a World Karate Champion responsible for designing his fight strategies, directing his training camps, and working his striking combinations. This multi-facility approach provides him access to world-class training partners and coaching expertise.
8. What is the source of Manel Kape’s net worth, and how much is he worth?
Manel Kape’s estimated net worth of $350,000–$400,000 as of 2026 comes from multiple sources including UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorship deals (particularly with Equip Your Gym and Venum), and merchandise royalty payments. His earnings have increased substantially over recent years as his ranking and marketability have grown. Fight purses represent his largest income source, supplemented by modest endorsement deals and ongoing UFC merchandise revenue streams.
9. How did Manel Kape start his fighting career, and when did he turn professional?
Kape began his fighting journey at age four when he started boxing under his father, a former world champion boxer. At age thirteen, he transitioned to mixed martial arts training. He made his professional MMA debut at age seventeen on May 13, 2012, at Cage Fighters 2, where he defeated Artur Gomes via first-round TKO. His early career was spent competing in European promotions and eventually in Rizin Fighting Federation in Japan, where he captured championship gold before signing with the UFC in March 2020.
10. What has been Manel Kape’s biggest rivalry or memorable fight moment?
One of Kape’s most memorable moments occurred at the UFC 293 press conference when he engaged in a verbal exchange with former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, gaining significant media attention and fan interest. Additionally, his pre-fight altercation with Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in Manchester generated considerable controversy when members of both teams engaged in a physical confrontation at their hotel. His knockout of Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112 remains one of his most impressive recent performances. Beyond individual rivalries, Kape’s most significant professional moment was likely his conversion to Islam and spiritual transformation, which reshaped his identity both inside and outside the octagon.