Sean Strickland and Manel Kape are at odds after a social media exchange on July 1, 2026.
What happened?
The feud started when Strickland took aim at Kape's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, on X. Kape swiftly responded with a jibe at Strickland's tough-guy persona.
The insults escalated, with Strickland criticizing Kape for his earlier gynecomastia issues and implying that he had taken performance-enhancing drugs.
Why it matters for Sean Strickland
Manel Kape isn't worried about crossing paths with Sean Strickland despite the online feud.
Kape said Strickland enjoys being in the spotlight and that his online personality is different from how he acts in person.
What comes next?
The two UFC stars train under the same head coach, Eric Nicksick, at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
Kape expects no awkward moments if they bump into each other again, saying they're all men and can handle their differences.
The feud may have originated from an alleged backstage altercation at last weekend's UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas, where Ali Abdelaziz reportedly punched or attempted to punch Eric Nicksick.
Combat sports insider Blake 'Axe' Avignon provided a similar account of the incident.
Sean Strickland and Manel Kape will likely cross paths again, given they're in the same city and train at the same gym.
Kape is confident in himself and doesn't expect any issues with Strickland, saying they've crossed paths before and it wasn't awkward.
The situation will be closely watched, especially if the two fighters are scheduled to compete in upcoming events.
For now, the focus is on the online feud and how it will affect their relationship as teammates.
Only time will tell if the feud will escalate or if the two fighters can put their differences aside.
The UFC community is waiting to see how this situation unfolds and what it means for Sean Strickland and Manel Kape's careers.