The Daniel Cormier Show - DC REACTS to Manel Kape KNOCKING OUT Brandon Royval, ESPN's final UFC fight

Summary

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The Herd with Colin Cowherd

The Daniel Cormier Show: DC Reacts to Manel Kape Knocking Out Brandon Royval, ESPN’s Final UFC Fight

Date: December 14, 2025

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Overview

On this episode, UFC legend and analyst Daniel Cormier (“DC”) delivers a passionate, in-depth reaction to Manel Kape’s electrifying first-round knockout of Brandon Royval at the UFC Apex, reflecting on its implications for the flyweight division and what it means for Kape’s title hopes. DC also takes a moment to mark the end of the UFC’s long relationship with ESPN, sharing personal memories and evaluating the impact this broadcast partnership had on growing the sport.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Stakes Going into Kape vs. Royval

• With a new flyweight champion crowned (Joshua Van), the division is wide open for fresh contenders.
• Tetsuro Taira had built strong momentum and was being touted as the likely next title challenger.
• Cormier explains that while Taira had a great performance and presence on fight night, “the overwhelming sentiment was that Tetsuro Tyra was going to be next for the new champion, Joshua Van.”
  [06:35]

2. Manel Kape’s Background and Career Narrative

• DC shares personal experience with Kape from his time training at AKA, always seeing him as “very, very special. But there was always a little something missing, right?”
  [05:20]
• For years, Kape has defeated top-tier opponents, but rarely in a way that left no doubt about his readiness for a title shot.
• Cormier emphasizes that Kape has “long been one of the best flyweights in the world… but he had these big fights [where] while he would win, it was never something that was so, like, ‘wow,’ that you were like, he should definitely be fighting for the belt.”
  [05:50]

3. The Impactful KO—And Its Significance

• The Royval matchup was Kape’s most high-pressure scenario: he needed not just to win, but to impress.
• “Monel Kape knocks him out in one round, finishes him… side of the Octagon, hits him on the right hand. Herb Dean jumps in, stops the fight.”
  [06:40]
• Royval, barely removed from a “fight of the year” contender with current champ Van, is decisively finished by Kape—a mark of how quickly fortunes change in MMA.
• “It's crazy how fast this game turns on the fighters. It's insane.”
  [07:27]

4. Kape’s Resume vs. the Title Shot Conversation

• Kape now ties the division’s record for most knockouts, sharing the distinction with Joseph Benavidez.
• “Nineteen of twenty-two fights that Manel Kape has had are finishes. Generally, a guy at that weight that finishes people at that rate would have already fought for the title.”
  [09:40]
• DC ponders the barriers to Kape’s title run: “What is making us not want to see Manel Kape given that opportunity? …If you aren’t ready to proclaim him the number one contender today, then you’re holding on to something more than the result.”
  [10:10]

5. The Flyweight Title Picture: Taira vs. Kape

• While Tetsuro Taira’s win over former champ Brandon Moreno carries weight, Cormier argues Kape’s knockout over Royval is equally—if not more—impressive, especially as Taira himself had lost to Royval not long ago.
• “When you’re building the resume, that’s another thing that Kape and his team can say, ‘Hey, we just beat the guy who beat the guy.’ Why is it not my turn? I don't know.”
  [12:00]

6. Potential Fireworks: Kape vs. Joshua Van

• Imagining the matchup, DC says: “Manel Kape and Joshua Van is a crazy fight because they’re both tremendous strikers. They’re both amazing strikers. And Van will make Manel fight… Joshua Van will make this into a fight, and that’s exactly where you see Manel involved in some fun fights.”
  [12:41]

7. UFC’s Final Night on ESPN: Nostalgia and Reflection

• The night marked the last UFC card on ESPN, closing a seven-year broadcast era.
• DC shares emotion and gratitude, noting “I always say, no matter what they tell me, that little boy from Lafayette can always say, hey, I work for ESPN. There's a lot of pride in that because that is the network that we all grew up watching for our sports stuff.”
  [13:44]
• He acknowledges ESPN’s reach and impact: “The UFC on ESPN has really helped to elevate the UFC in a way that I don’t know that we would have been if not for the time spent at the Worldwide leader.”
  [13:20]
• Fittingly, the UFC’s ESPN run ends on a knockout: “I thought it was fitting last night that the ESPN deal ended with a knockout, because I believe that for the UFC, that’s exactly what that partnership has been.”
  [14:40]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kape’s Title Readiness:

  “If you aren’t ready to proclaim him the number one contender today, then you’re holding on to something more than the result.”
  — Daniel Cormier [10:10]

• On the Sudden Shifts in MMA:

  “It’s crazy how fast this game turns on the fighters. It’s insane.”
  — Daniel Cormier [07:27]

• On Kape’s Finishing Ability:

  “Nineteen of twenty-two fights that Manell Kape has had are finishes. Generally, a guy at that weight that finishes people at that rate would have already fought for the title…”
  — Daniel Cormier [09:40]

• On His ESPN Pride:

  “That little boy from Lafayette can always say, ‘Hey, I work for ESPN.’ There’s a lot of pride in that because that is the network that we all grew up watching for our sports stuff.”
  — Daniel Cormier [13:44]

• On UFC’s Time with ESPN:

  “I believe that the UFC on ESPN has really helped to elevate the UFC in a way that I don’t know that we would have been if not for the time spent at the Worldwide leader.”
  — Daniel Cormier [13:20]

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Key Timestamps

• [05:20] – Cormier’s personal experience with Kape and early assessment
• [06:35] – Tetsuro Taira as presumed title challenger; how the fight played into divisional politics
• [06:40] – Kape’s knockout of Royval described in detail
• [07:27] – Observation on the unpredictable, cruel nature of MMA
• [09:40] – Kape’s finishing stats and their significance
• [10:10] – The central question: What is keeping Kape from a title shot?
• [12:00] – Resume debate: Kape vs. Taira, and what “beating the guy that beat the guy” means
• [12:41] – Anticipating a Kape vs. Van title fight
• [13:20] – Reflections on the impact of the UFC-ESPN partnership
• [14:40] – Sentimental close on why ending on a knockout was “fitting” for ESPN’s era

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Summary Flow & Tone

Daniel Cormier brings his usual blend of deep technical insight and heartfelt storytelling, combining tactical fight breakdowns with big-picture thinking. His voice throughout the episode is earnest, passionate, and clearly appreciative of both the fighters and the broader MMA journey. The episode shifts seamlessly from divisional analysis to media nostalgia, making it essential for any fan interested in both what happens inside the cage—and behind the scenes.

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For more post-fight reactions and analysis, follow DC on his YouTube channel as he transitions exclusively to Paramount for future coverage.

Transcript

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This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc. When you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really does have your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. Visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Additional terms apply. See website for details. The volume all right guys, today's show is brought to you by our new sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. 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Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling In Florida, call 1888 a D. MIT I T in Indiana. If you are someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9 with it. And if you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. All right, guys. Hey. This post Fight Reaction video is brought to you by Total Wireless, the official wireless provider of UFC. They're in your corner with unlimited 5G data that will not slow you down. So last night at the apex, the UFC ended the year with a fight night featuring Monel Cobb and Brandon Royval. When we got a new champion at 125, you knew it would open a world of different opportunities for fighters in a world of chances for guys to try and become a world champion. Especially if Alexandre Pantoja is injured and is going to be out for a while. A new champion puts a whole new can of paint on his division. Tatsuru Taira, which was on the card the night that Joshua Van became world champion. And everyone rushes to say Tetsuro Tyra is next because he has some momentum. He was there present, which is always great. He got to go inside the Octagon. No, actually he didn't go inside the Octagon with Joshua Van. They showed him before the fight, but they didn't bring him in as they did With Joshua Van. When Pantoja defended his belt right before he fought him, the overwhelming sentiment was that Tester Otara was going to be next for the new champion, Joshua Van. But Joe Rogan actually said, but Manel Cobb fights next week. You gotta remember, we're rushing. Here's the issue. Manel has long been one of the best flyweights in the world. I remember he used to come to AKA and train, and you knew right away that he was very, very special. But there was always a little something missing, right? And I'm gonna give you a stat here in a second that kind of makes you wonder why he hasn't gotten the title shot yet. But Manel Koppel had that thing that was missing, and I believe what it was was those missed opportunities where he would have these big fights and while he would win, it was never something that was so like, wow, that you were like, he should definitely be fighting for the bill. He beaten the best guys, but he had beaten them in a way where you felt like it was. It had to be going into this fight. It was probably the most high stress situation he's going into in regards to the title opportunity because not only did he have a tough Brandon Roy Valley in front of him, he had the idea that in order to get past that zero tyranny of who's next, he had to look impressive. The new champion had his hands full with Roy Val. Well, Monel Cop knocks him out in one round, finishes him. Manel Cop finishes him, finishes Brandon Royville in the first round, side of the Octagon, hits him on the right hand. Stotsu. Herb Dean jumps in, stops the fight. One thing, Brandon Royville two fights ago was in the number one contenders fight with the new champion, Joshua Van, which is widely considered the fight of the year. Now he was in the number one contenders fight essentially from an El Cop only, and he's on the receiving end of a knockout. It's crazy how fast this game turns on the fighters. It's insane. So did I wonder. Monel Kopp now is tied for the most knockouts in flyweight history. Yes, guys, yes. Manell has finished and knocked out more people than anyone in the flyweight history, except for one person that side with him. Are we ready now to say that Monel Kopp now has to fight for the belt? Now are we ready to say, hey, I get that Soro Tyra look good against Brandon Moreno, but Manel just won the fight in the first round. Are we ready now to proclaim that it's Manel Cop's turn. And if not, what's keeping us? Because the reality is Manell has made some missteps over the course of his career to where people kind of turn on him. I know him personally. He's not a bad guy. People think he might be, so they may have this idea of who he is. He's not. But if you aren't ready to proclaim him the number one contender today, then you're holding on to something more than the result. Because once again, I am talking to you about the person that has more knockouts than anyone in UFC history. In this weight class, he's only tied with one person. Luis. Tell me what it is. Who else holds that record with Manel Cobb. But, I mean, his last three fights are KOs and TKOs. 19 of 22 fights that Manel Cop has had are finishes. Generally, a guy at that weight that finishes people at that rate would have already fallen for the title because, you know, he tied with Joseph Benavidez for knockouts. And we know that Joe B. Had title fights. We know he had opportunities. What is making us not want to see Menel Cop given that opportunity? And look, I didn't want to do this video to make a case for Manel. I just think that it's fair if you put him in the situation, that you should consider him right alongside Tetsuro Tyro. Hey, Tetsuro Tyra beat a former world champion. There is a lot of stock in that win. It is by far the best win of his entire career. But there were still, hey, maybe they stopped to fight early. Brandon Moreno looked up and goes, really? At the end of the fight, there were some reasons where you can go, well, maybe Brandon Moreno could have kept fighting. Nobody's saying that about Brandon Royvella and Manel Cop after what we saw last night, it's just not true. It's just not true. Just not true. And Tetsuro Tyra got beat by Ravel a couple fights ago. So when you're building the resume, that's another thing that Cop and his team can say, hey, we just beat the guy to beat the guy. Why is it not my turn? I don't. I don't. I don't know. And honestly, Manel Kopp and Brandon, Joshua Van is a crazy fight because they're both tremendous strikers. They're both amazing strikers. And Van will make Manell fight. It won't be tit for tat. Let's see who has the better technique. Joshua Van will make this into a fight, and that's exactly where you see Manell involved in some fun fights. You know, it was fun. Watching the UFC last night from the apex was a bit bittersweet, right? Because now, you know, this is the end of the UFC and ESPN Monday. Chael and I will have good guy, bad guy for the final time. Anytime we move from a different place network, it's sad because you will leave a lot of people that you build relationships with over those times and you hope that they're fine. The one place that I know where people will be fine is the spn. A lot of the people that we work with at Fox, it wasn't fine because there is no replacing the UFC. But ESPN's such a monster that there is so much work to be done that I believe that these people will be okay. There's been some ups and downs in ESPN hell. At one point, Conor McGregor even broke the app. It's all learning and growing. But I got to tell you, I believe that the UFC on ESPN has really helped to elevate the UFC in a way that I don't know that we would have been if not for the time spent at the Worldwide leader. And I always say, no matter what they tell me, that little boy from Lafayette can always say, hey, I work for espn. There's a lot of pride in that because that is the network that we all grew up watching for our sports stuff. Seeing Scott Van Pelt and seeing Stuart Scott, Chris Berman and all those great sports center anchors, that made sports so fun for us. So it was good seven years at espn. I enjoyed every second of it and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. But I thought it was fitting last night that the ESPN deal ended with a knockout, because I believe that for the ufc, that's exactly what that partnership has been. All right, guys, until next time, like subscribe and tell your friends at DC has a YouTube channel and you can get content like this every single time, especially after fights and post fights. And now you're going to find us exclusively on Paramount. So it's going to be awesome. All right. Peace.

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What a matchup we got, y'.

[DJ Wells]

All.

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This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crab lit chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And in ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

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