Top flyweights Mokaev, Kape finalizing UFC 304 bout

Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape are expected to square off in a potential flyweight title eliminator at UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester, England.

Mokaev announced the matchup on social media Wednesday. Additionally, a source told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn and Farah Hannoun that Kape has verbally agreed to the fight.

Mokaev and Kape are ranked No. 6 and No. 7 in the 125-pound division, respectively.

The 23-year-old Mokaev is coming off a unanimous decision win over former title challenger Alex Perez in March. The Russian, who fights out of Manchester, has begun his UFC career with six straight wins and is 11-0 as a pro. Mokaev has finished four of his Octagon bouts and is one of the most promising up-and-comers in recent MMA history.

Kape will step into the cage for just the third time since the end of 2021. The former Rizin FF champion beat Felipe dos Santos at UFC 293 last September and is riding a four-fight winning streak.

Kape was scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night card in April against Matheus Nicolau, but he withdrew from the bout due to a rib injury. Kape and Nicolau were also slated to fight in January before a significant weight miss forced Kape out of the matchup.

UFC 304 will mark the promotion's first event in Manchester since 2016. It does not yet have a main event but will also reportedly feature a pivotal featherweight bout between Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze.