Fans get a makeshift main event in the UFC Apex this weekend, Manel Kape faces Asu Almabayev at flyweight for UFC Vegas 103.
Portuguese flyweight Manel Kape has become a fan favourite since joining the UFC in 2021. Making his debut against now dominant champion Alexandre Pantoja, Kape has been chasing the rematch ever since. Back to back losses in his first two UFC fights tested the resolve of Kape but he bounced back in style. His next two fights ended in violent first round knockouts for ‘Starboy’. His last defeat came at the hands of British flyweight Muhammed Mokaev last July at UFC 304. A fight that had unbelievably hype but failed to catch fire when the cage door shut. This weekend would have been his chance to get that title shot he was originally slated to face Brandon Royval in a top contender fight. Royval suffered an injury so now he faces a rising star from Kazakhstan.
Almabayev gets the opportunity as his own matchup on this card was reshuffled. Steve Erceg has been rebooked in the main event of UFC Mexico at the end of the month. Unbeaten in the UFC many believe Almabayev could be the fresh blood needed for Pantoja as the champ has beaten all the current contenders. With four wins in his first 18 months in the company the activity has clearly benefited the flyweights rise. His debut ended in a spectacular submission over tough veteran Ode Osbourne, however since then it has been three consecutive decisions. The UFC will want to see some finishing potentially in the UFC Vegas main event to get a title shot.
Ones To Watch
Undefeated prospects feature throughout the card at the Apex and all face their toughest test to date. On the main card are two American prospects facing stiff European competition. At welterweight Danny Barlow is unscathed from his first two UFC fights. A debut knockout over Josh Quinlan put him on the map. However, his opponent this weekend is by far his toughest. Sam Patterson has looked phenomenal in his last two bouts with a pair of quick first round submissions rebounding off a tough debut in 2023. At featherweight Hyder Amil is aiming for his third win and finish in the UFC. 2024 was a fruitful year for him with two knockouts and a performance bonus. Frenchman William Gomis will want to halt the surging American and claim his spot in the top 15 at 145lbs as he is 4-0 in the UFC himself.
Headlining the prelims is the immensely talented 9-0 heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto. The 26 year old tore through the LFL scene before getting his DWCS shot. A first round knockout secured his place in the UFC and he makes his debut against Austen Lane this weekend.
UFC Vegas
Main Card
Flyweight – Manel Kape vs Asu Almabayev
Result: Manel Kape defeats Asu Almabayev in the third round by TKO
Highlights:
Middleweight – Cody Brundage vs Julian Marquez
Result: Cody Brundage defeats Julian Marquez in the first round by TKO
Highlights:
Lightweight – Nasrat Haqparast vs Esteban Ribovics
Result: Nasrat Haqparast defeats Esteban Ribovics by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Highlights:
Featherweight – Hyder Amil vs William Gomis
Result: Hyder Amil defeats William Gomis by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Highlights:
Welterweight – Danny Barlow vs Sam Patterson
Result: Sam Patterson defeats Danny Barlow by knockout in the first round
Highlights:
Prelims
Heavyweight – Austen Lane vs Mario Pinto
Result: Mario Pinto defeats Austen Lane by 2nd round knockout
Highlights:
Featherweight – Ricardo Ramos vs Chepe Mariscal
Result: Chepe Mariscal defeats Ricardo Ramos by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Highlights:
Featherweight – Lucas Almeida vs Danny Silva
Result: Danny Silva defeats Lucas Almeida by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Highlights:
Women’s Flyweight – Andrea Lee vs JJ Aldrich
Result: JJ Aldrich defeats Andrea Lee by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Highlights:
Flyweight – Charles Johnson vs Ramazan Temirov
Result: Ramazan Temirov defeats Charles Johnson due to unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Highlights:
Featured image credits to Embed from UFC
