UFC Vegas 103 delivered a night of high-stakes battles and brutal finishes, headlined by a flyweight clash between Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev. Taking place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the event saw Kape claim a TKO victory, while several underdogs made their mark in thrilling fashion.
Main Event: Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev
Winner: Manel Kape via TKO (Round 3, 2:16)
Manel Kape put on an explosive striking display, stopping Almabayev in the third round to cement his status as a top contender in the flyweight division.
- Kape dictated the pace early, using crisp boxing and calculated pressure to keep Almabayev at bay.
- In Round 3, Kape landed a devastating right hand, wobbling Almabayev before following up with a relentless barrage of punches.
- The referee stepped in to stop the fight at 2:16 of the third round, marking another highlight-reel finish for the Angolan fighter.
Post-Fight Quote from Kape:
"I told you I was the best striker in this division. Give me my title shot!"
Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez
Winner: Cody Brundage via TKO (Round 1, 4:45)
Middleweight contender Cody Brundage made a huge statement with a first-round ground-and-pound finish against Julian Marquez.
- Brundage closed the distance early, securing a takedown within the first minute.
- After softening up Marquez with elbows, he unleashed a brutal ground-and-pound sequence, forcing the referee to intervene before the end of the round.
Brundage post-fight:
"I’ve been telling people I’m a problem in this division. Now they believe me!"
Other Notable Fights & Results
Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight Bout)
Winner: Nasrat Haqparast via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Haqparast and Ribovics engaged in a closely contested war, with Haqparast's cleaner striking giving him the edge in the judge’s eyes.
- This fight earned Fight of the Night honors, rewarding both men with a $50,000 bonus.
Hyder Amil vs. William Gomis (Featherweight Bout)
Winner: Hyder Amil via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Amil’s relentless pressure and striking volume won over two of the three judges, handing him a hard-fought victory.
Sam Patterson vs. Danny Barlow (Welterweight Bout)
Winner: Sam Patterson via KO (Round 1, 3:10)
- Patterson landed a thunderous knockout punch, dropping Barlow in the first round and securing one of the most devastating finishes of the night.
Preliminary Card Highlights
Mário Pinto vs. Austen Lane (Heavyweight Bout)
Winner: Mário Pinto via KO (Round 2, 0:39)
- Pinto delivered a massive knockout punch, stopping Lane early in the second round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Chepe Mariscal vs. Ricardo Ramos (Featherweight Bout)
Winner: Chepe Mariscal via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Mariscal controlled the pace and dominated Ramos on the feet, securing a clean decision win.
JJ Aldrich vs. Andrea Lee (Women’s Flyweight Bout)
Winner: JJ Aldrich via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Aldrich showcased technical striking and superior grappling, earning a unanimous decision victory over veteran Andrea Lee.
Ramazan Temirov vs. Charles Johnson (Flyweight Bout)
Winner: Ramazan Temirov via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Temirov’s takedown control and striking volume proved too much for Johnson, securing him the decision win.
Bonus Awards ($50,000 Each)
Fight of the Night: Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics
Performance of the Night: Manel Kape & Mário Pinto
These awards recognized standout performances, with Kape’s dominant TKO and Pinto’s brutal knockout earning them extra cash.
What’s Next?
- Manel Kape called for a title shot following his impressive victory. With a four-fight win streak, he could be next in line for a flyweight championship opportunity.
- Cody Brundage’s dominant win puts him on the middleweight radar, and he may face a top-10 opponent next.
- Nasrat Haqparast’s decision win keeps him in the lightweight mix, as he eyes a shot at the division’s top contenders.