UFC Vegas 103 ‘Kape vs. Almabayev’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Charles Johnson (125) vs. Ramazonbek Temirov (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Temirov (-115), Johnson (-105)

Round 1

A bit leaner than originally intended, the UFC rolls into the Apex station with an even 10 fights on the billing. The event is light on ranked relevance and meaningful matchups from a championship perspective, but each bout means the world to the participants so they cannot be dismissed before they happen. The action starts off in the flyweight division, with a solid fight that has no place in the curtain jerker spot. With four straight wins in his pocket, rising talent Johnson (17-6, 6-4 UFC) wants to go five in a row and stamp himself as a contender at 125 pounds. Standing in his way will be streaking Uzbekistan native Temirov (18-3, 1-0 UFC), who may have only earned one win in the UFC thus far but enters the bout the victor in his last 10 outings. Someone’s win streak is about to come to a screeching halt, and referee Jason Herzog will be there every step of the way. The fighters touch gloves, and the combat begins. Johnson assumes the center of the cage and works his way forward, switching stances to angle his way in. When Temirov does not back off much, Johnson backpedals. This gives Temirov confidence to wing an overhand right and a spinning back kick, and the former catches “InnerG” on the jaw. Johnson shakes it off and bounces off the fencing, and Temirov bears down on him with a looping left. Johnson responds with a knee up the middle, and he follows with a front kick on the chin. Temirov clips him with a big right hand and hurts him. Johnson hits his back and rolls forward to pursue a desperate takedown, stripping up Temirov’s balance but not grounding him for long. Both men climb back up, and Temirov is firmly in the driver’s seat throwing bombs. Johnson takes them well enough but is taking damage, and he gets Temirov to back away momentarily thanks to a groin shot. Herzog checks on Temirov’s condition, who waves him away and wants to keep swinging. Johnson strafes left and right, but Temirov is on him with big punches and flashy strikes. Johnson remains composed as he keeps up his guard, only to walk directly into a check left hook. Johnson’s front kick forces Temirov to back off, and he throws a body kick that gets caught. With Johnson’s leg under his armpit, the Uzbekistani fighter slings a right hand that knocks Johnson off his feet. Johnson jumps back up and rushes forward, punching his way forward until Temirov fires off a spinning back fist. Johnson surges forward and eats another spinning back fist, but the more damaging blow is a left to the liver from “Temurlan.” The concussive blows from Temirov keep dropping Johnson down to a knee, which may or may not be registered as a knockdown but still matters from a damage standpoint. Johnson stands his ground and fires back, and the two trade blows until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Temirov

Round 2

The fighters tap gloves to get going, and Johnson forces the issue with pressure and parries a right hook. Temirov darts in with a looping left and then a right, and Johnson’s head movement keeps him safe from harm until he presses in to tie Temirov up and grab hold of a single-leg takedown. Johnson lowers himself to the mat to try for greater leverage, but he cannot ground the man from Uzbekistan and backs off. Temirov goes wide with a haymaker of a right hand, and Johnson prods out with a jab and a low kick. Johnson presents a knee when Temirov loads up, but Temirov is still able to connect with at least one big strike. The huge punches from Temirov keep coming, and Johnson’s evasiveness saves him from the worst of it. Johnson slips in an uppercut when sliding away, and he has another kick caught that results in him getting knocked off his feet. Johnson zips back up to his feet unconcerned, and he takes a clean right hand to the ribcage. Temirov reaches out with a left and rips the body with a kick, and he intercepts the advancing “InnerG” with power punches. Johnson chases after his foe, who is on his bike dashing from left to right. Johnson lunges in with a huge swing, and the quicker Temirov sticks him and moves effectively. Johnson probes with a left hand, but he gets popped with a left on the way out. Temirov flashes a jab that wobbles Johnson’s knees momentarily, and he uses a few more to redden the nose of his opponent. Johnson gets in the pocket and starts to trade, but a left hand from Temirov slams into his face and forces him to stop and blink it out. Johnson pushes forward to get hold of his opponent and level change, but he settles for an elbow up top to break. Johnson uses awkward angles to get in and land a few shots, and Temirov loads up with a bomb of a right hand that smacks Johnson in the beak a slight bit after the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Temirov

Round 3

There is a final glove touch, and Johnson springs behind it to fire off a pair of punches up top. Temirov catches the subsequent body kick, and this time Johnson does not get decked with the overhand right. Johnson takes his leg back, dodges a spinning wheel kick and crashes the pocket to trade. Johnson backs his man up against the fence and works the body with a right hand and a kick, and Temirov retreats along the outer edge of the cage. Both men land at the same time, and Johnson takes it a little harder and is therefore slower to give one back. Temirov punches his way into a tackling takedown, putting Johnson on his seat for a second. Johnson jumps back up and breaks out of the tie-up, and he starts starting punches together while Temirov might be slowing just a hair. Johnson gives chase, unafraid of what comes back his way, and he tees off on a stalling Temirov with a flurry of fists. Johnson is cognizant of the power swings that occasionally come back, and he pays attention and counters while splitting the guard with uppercuts when he can find them. Johnson takes a right hand and wipes his face, and he goes back to rushing after his foe. Johnson blasts the lead leg twice, and Temirov’s balance appears shaken. Just when Johnson is about to attack, Temirov wings a massive right hand that stuns his opponent. Johnson shakes out the cobwebs and continues pressing the action, landing a few long strikes to work his way in. Johnson pounds the body and ends the combo with an uppercut, and Temirov escapes. Johnson probes out with a jab, and Temirov does the same and loops two big hooks after it. Johnson swings with bad intentions, opening himself up to a takedown attempt from the fighter from Uzbekistan. Johnson shuts it down and pushes Temirov against the wall, and he complains to Herzog that Temirov is grabbing the inside of his gloves. Herzog slaps Temirov’s hand, and Johnson pursues a single and bails on it to score a right on the break. Temirov stands firm and plants a one-two on the jaw, and he follows with a spin kick that goes wide. Johnson slips and responds with a right hand, and Temirov grips him tightly and pushes him against the wall. When Johnson frees himself from the clinch, the horn sounds. It might all come down to how the second round is scored.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Temirov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Johnson)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Temirov)

The Official Result

Ramazonbek Temirov def. Charles Johnson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

J.J. Aldrich (126) vs. Andrea Lee (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aldrich (-205), Lee (+170)

Round 1

Flipping over to the women’s flyweight category, a great deal of negative momentum is about to end. “KGB” Lee (13-10, 5-8 UFC) has not prevailed since 2021 while dropping five straight, while her foe Aldrich (13-7, 9-6 UFC) had her lone 2024 appearance go the other way. While in the previous bout, one of the flyweights ended their positive stretch, this flyweight pairing will see the triumphant woman break back into the win column. Taking charge of the cage will be referee Chris Tognoni, who stands back and lets the ladies touch ‘em up to commence. Immediately, Aldrich rifles off a punch and kick combination, and Lee gives her a few back to think about. They trade jabs from alternating stances, and then toss out low kicks. Lee catches a kick, but Aldrich comes over the top with a right hand to make her drop it. Aldrich plants a one-two on the chin as Lee pitches out a half-hearted kick, and Lee responds with a three-punch salvo. They go kick for kick at one another’s legs, keeping to a distant kickboxing range rather than sitting down on strikes. When Lee throws a body kick, Aldrich darts in, scoops up the single and dumps “KGB” on her back. Lee scrambles to fight back to her feet, keeping her guard up to not get tagged when standing. Lee’s kicks to the body leave her open for punches, and Aldrich takes advantage of that with a one-two. Lee misses on a pair of one-twos, and she stands just in range to get popped on the other side. Aldrich scores a second such two-punch string, drawing excited cheers from her corner and fans. Aldrich peppers out with a jab and parries a high kick, but a right hand from Lee grows a shiner beneath her left eye. Aldrich pays it no mind and blasts Lee in the face with a solid one-two that sends Lee flying. Lee scurries back up no worse for wear and gets back to kicking all targets. Aldrich sticks to her boxing for the most part, eating a body kick so she can put hands on Lee’s reddening face. Lee shoots for a single, and Aldrich stuffs it and knees Lee in the face. Aldrich wraps her hands around Lee’s waist and punches her around the side before looking for a trip that does not come. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich

Round 2

An abandoned glove touch opens the round, and Aldrich potshots the lead leg and face with kicks and jabs. Aldrich mixes things up with a body kick, and Lee stands firm and plants a right hand on Aldrich’s much. They trade body kicks, and Aldrich slides back to dodge a head kick. Leg kicks from both ladies come, and Aldrich snaps out a left hand when Lee throws it naked to stagger “KGB.” Lee gets right back in front of her foe and tosses out a head kick that misses the mark, and she bites on a faked level change from Aldrich. Lee tries to leap forward with a front kick, and Aldrich is well out of harm’s way in time. When Lee has a one-two and a kick miss, Aldrich counters right down the pipe. Lee shadowboxes from afar, not landing with much as Aldrich is too evasive for her. Lee’s head kick misses, allowing Aldrich to crowd her with not one but two one-twos. Lee tries to keep her opponent at bay with a front kick, and she chips at the lead leg as well. They both land when coming together, and Aldrich backs off to dodge the punches that fly her direction. Lee takes a low kick to give one back much harder. As Lee reaches the body with a kick, Aldrich sits down on a right hand. Lee remains in the pocket long enough to toss out a left hand, and Aldrich backs her off with two punches. The straight punches mark up Lee’s nose, who shoots in for a double that is easily rebuffed. Aldrich pushes “KGB” against the fencing and tries for her own takedown, and she bails on it and backs out of the clinch. Lee walks into a left hand so she can kick Aldrich in the ribs, and Aldrich’s overhand right counter comes up short. Lee kicks the chest, and Aldrich jabs her back and spins with a back fist at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich

Round 3

Both ladies meet in the middle and measure one another early with jabs. Aldrich slaps the front leg with a kick and blocks a body kick, and Lee’s second connects. Aldrich splits the guard with a sharp left hand, and she sees the success of it and doubles up. Lee opens up with a big body kick, and she has her head snapped back with a jab. Lee’s body kick stays out a little too long, and Aldrich drills her in the nose with a two-punch salvo. A kick from the other leg of Lee bounces off the elbow, and she tries to chamber two more kicks—one from each leg—but both are also blocked. Aldrich pins Lee down with a one-two, putting fists on Lee’s increasingly crimson mug. Lee jabs back but her accuracy is low, while Aldrich is hitting her with every other swing. Lee crashes in for a takedown, and Aldrich effortlessly turns her around and leans her against the wall. Lee spins out of the tie-up and punches her way forward, but it is her low kick that lands. Aldrich sits down on a pair of punches, and Lee reaches with a right hand back and digs to the body. Lee fires off a one-two that is a setup for a double, and she puts Aldrich on her backside for about half a second before Aldrich bounces off the floor and gets upright. Lee takes a punch so she can wrap her foot up around the raised guard, and she defends a takedown attempt by jumping guard with a guillotine choke. Aldrich turns to her knees and uses the clinch to get to her feet, unconcerned about the submission. Lee attempts a single when pushing Aldrich against the wire, and elbows to the side of her dome make her think twice about it. Aldrich stays tightly pressed against “KGB” until the final bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)

The Official Result

J.J. Aldrich def. Andrea Lee via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Lucas Almeida (148: Missed Weight) vs. Danny Silva (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-205), Almeida (+170)

Round 1

In the lone catchweight contest of the day, Silva (9-1, 1-0 UFC) will accept 20% of Almeida’s (15-3, 2-2 UFC) purse for exceeding the featherweight limit by two pounds. Both men earned a single win in 2024, so if they plan on building to something, now is the time to begin. The third man in the Octagon is referee Mike Beltran. There is no glove touch between the two, as they want to get right to it. Silva peppers the front leg with a few times and waves Almeida on, but Almeida does not bite. Silva measures with a few distant jabs and has his front leg slapped. Almeida whips a kick to the sternum, and he backs away when Silva rushes at him. Almeida checks a kick and throws another one to the side, and Silva is there in front of him with another calf kick. Almeida finds another body kick, and he swings a left hook that Silva dodges so he can clinch up. Almeida ducks when he sees a spinning elbow coming on the break, and he backs off to get caught with a combination of leaping punches. Almeida kicks the body and is tagged with a flurry, causing his nose to turn bright red. Silva stomps down with a kick to the lead knee of his foe, and he ducks into an uppercut. Almeida jabs the body with a kick and goes to the inside and outside calf. Silva’s own low kick is met with a one-two, and he races forward to back Almeida against the wall. Silva hand-fights to block punches and shells up to defend from a head kick while keeping the pressure on Almeida. The Brazilian gest tired of waiting and lunches with a left hook, but it is one-and-done. Silva steps in to trade punches, and they both land on one another. Almeida backs off and spins to throw a back fist, and Silva crashes in and pushes him against the wire. Silva backs off to find another way in, and Almeida potshots him with kicks and an uppercut. Silva races in with his fists flying, and a left hook catches the heavier man on the chin but does not shake him up. Almeida shoots in for a single, resulting in a clinch that breaks when he lashes out with an elbow and two fierce fists. Almeida punctuates the round with a step-in knee.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 2

Silva starts off the round behind his jab, while Almeida plods forward pump-faking his hips. The feints back Silva up, allowing Almeida to crowd him with a body shot and a right hand over the top. Silva responds with his own strike to the body, and he flicks out a jab. Almeida has a head kick blocked just in the nick of time, and he slaps the front leg with a kick and then aims another strike to the inside. Silva’s own leg kick turns Almeida around, and he puts a few strikes behind it with a body shot and a hard right hand. Silva partially checks a kick and defends from an uppercut, reaching Almeida with a left down the pipe and right to the solar plexus. Almeida chips at the lead wheel with kicks and starts to let his hands go, and Silva’s head movement protects him from most of the latter. Almeida measures his range with a high kick, and a right hand that follows is similarly out of reach. Silva blocks and comes in close to throw hands, backing off to avoid a counter. Silva kicks the side and defends from an overhand right, and he paws his jab out and rings Almeida’s bell with a three-punch combination. Almeida steels himself and throws back hard, but Silva is able to catch him again with a right hand. The Brazilian attempts a big right hand and a high kick, and Silva ignores them both and spins to ding Almeida upside the head with a back fist. Almeida throws back with a vengeance, only to get interrupted by a hard body kick. Almeida lands at the end of a right hand, and Silva rips a left to the liver. Silva kicks his way in, only to retreat when Almeida strings a few punches together. Silva puts his foot on the gas for a moment, connecting with three or four punches, and he ducks down to dodge an Almeida swing and pursue a double-leg takedown. With 10 seconds to spare, Silva succeeds in grounding the Brazilian, and Almeida pops back up right before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 3

The fighters touch gloves after 10 minutes of combat, and Almeida is fired up and ready to go. He leaps forward to reintroduce himself with a jump knee, and Silva circles around and winds up with a huge left hook that does not find its target. Almeida gets off a right hand in the pocket, catching Silva’s responding kick and tripping him up. Silva spins around and gets upright with the fence behind him, and Almeida runs at him and tries to lock him down. Silva is able to get out, and he drives three punches through the guard to shake up the Brazilian. Almeida lands a few jabs, and Silva smiles at him. Silva doubles up on a left hand, leaning back to avoid a spinning wheel kick and planting his feet to retaliate with a spinning back kick that grazes the side. Silva gets off a few punches and ends a combo with a left to the body, and he checks a kick whizzing at his front leg. Silva keeps his hands deceptively low, raising them in time to block strikes while allowing him to throw strikes from unusual angles. Silva hammers the front leg with a kick, and Almeida darts away and gives back a shovel uppercut. As Almeida gets comfortable throwing big punches, Silva clips him and sends him wobbling back momentarily. Almeida regains his balance and snaps Silva’s head back like a Pez dispenser, finding Silva’s chin several times in a particularly solid volley. Silva comes up short and is still in range to get popped with counters, and Almeida takes advantage of that with a follow-up one-two down the pipe and a spinning back fist. Silva says two can play that game and spins back at him, and Almeida easily blocks it. Almeida kicks his way into a combination, letting loose with his hands and forcing Silva to shift to defense mode. Almeida jumps at his man with a front kick, and he jabs and low kicks his way into nullifying his opponent. Almeida clubs Silva in the side of the head with two punches, and Silva waves him on to brawl. Rather than throw, however, Silva has to keep his guard up to not get blasted with a final flurry from the Brazilian. This one hears the final bell, and once more we go to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (29-28 Silva)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (29-28 Silva)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (29-28 Silva)

The Official Result

Danny Silva def. Lucas Almeida via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Jose Mariscal (146) vs. Ricardo Ramos (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mariscal (-425), Ramos (+330)

Round 1

Ramos (17-6, 8-5 UFC) and Mariscal (17-6, 1 NC; 4-0 UFC) take center stage in what could be a furious-paced featherweight affair, one that could end in the blink of an eye or stretch out across 15 dramatic minutes. Keep tabs on this pairing will be referee Jason Herzog, who observes the fighters clapping hands before engaging. The first strike of the fight is a missed spinning wheel kick from the Brazilian, who has a penchant for spinning. When Mariscal misses on a few punches, Ramos kicks him in the front leg. Mariscal charges like a bull, crashing into Ramos and cracking him with a few power punches. Ramos bounces off and turns the corner to strike, only to find himself in the hands of “Chepe,” who hurls him to the mat with solid judo technique. Ramos bounds back up as if he has springs in his shorts, and finds himself backing up from the pressure of Mariscal. Ramos snaps out a loud jab that reddens Mariscal up, who retaliates with a chopping low kick. Ramos fakes a level change, and Mariscal fakes a spin, with both men keeping the other honest. Mariscal plants his fist square into Ramos’ nose, and he deposits Ramos to the floor. Ramos snatches up a leglock and rolls around to get hold of a calf slicer, but Mariscal explodes out of the position and slaps Ramos in the face. Mariscal bears down on his opponent with mighty fists, and he grips and tosses Ramos again. Ramos pops back up and eats a punch so he can spin with an elbow, and Mariscal is rocked but somehow still on his feet. Ramos tries a second, but by then, Mariscal has gotten his bearings back. Ramos swings, and Mariscal rips a left hand around the guard to smash Ramos in the face. Mariscal wrenches his man down to the mat and unloads with right hands until Ramos stands. Mariscal attacks with a high knee, and Ramos grabs out of the air and throws him awkwardly to the mat. Both men find themselves looking for leglocks, and Ramos gets out and stands up first. Ramos attempts to dive down into the guard, and Mariscal grips a heel hook. Ramos falls to his back and also tries his own, with the two stuck in a 50/50 position with neither man in submission danger. Mariscal frees his leg and both men sit up, powering back to their feet. Ramos knees Mariscal in the belly when Mariscal drives him to the wire, and they jockey for position until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal

Round 2

The fighters again clap hands to get started, and Mariscal reintroduces himself with a stomp kick to the knee. As Ramos jumps up with a knee, Mariscal knocks him down to his back. Mariscal backs away and allows Ramos to stand. They dart at one another with single punches and pull back. Mariscal again rushes in, this time going after a takedown that sets up a high knee that hits Ramos in the face. Mariscal keeps his man pinned to the wall while he works him with short but powerful strikes, grinding on Ramos until Ramos has had enough and breaks free. Mariscal comes up short on a sweeping low kick and a few power punches, but some additional heavy blows get Ramos’ attention. Ramos steps in with an elbow, and he spins with a back elbow that drills square into Mariscal’s temple. The beard of Mariscal is impeccable as he does not even waver after getting blasted, and Ramos times another that still does not hurt his opponent much. Mariscal walks down Ramos, who appears to be flagging, and he nails him with a left hand as Ramos rebounds off the fence. Mariscal kicks the front leg and spins with a back kick, and he side kicks a retreating Ramos. “Chepe” targets the front leg with another kick and sways to take the oomph out of a left hook, while keeping his hands up to block a subsequent head kick. Mariscal sits down on a crisp left hand, and he ducks a spinning strike. Ramos reaches his man with a left hand, and it is one-and-done as he backs off and gets tagged. A fierce left from Mariscal opens a cut up on the side of Ramos’ head, and he loads up with sheer power and knocks Ramos’ noggin around with concussive blows. As Ramos backs off, Mariscal leaps at him with a kick made famous by Liu Kang that collides with the Brazilian’s jaw. Mariscal screams with a final flurry of ferocious fists, hoping to put Ramos away, but the horn sounds before he can get the job done.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal

Round 3

Gloves are touched to commence the final frame, and Mariscal uses his long legs to reach his target a few times. When Ramos tries to score with a pair of rangy punches, Mariscal crowds him and scores a heavy low kick. Ramos attempts a kick behind his other leg, and Mariscal ignores it and grapples with Ramos, pushing him to the wall. Mariscal leans over and hammerfists Ramos in the calf several times, imposing his weight on the Brazilian while softening him up with short strikes. As Ramos separates, Mariscal catches him with a left hook off the side of the head. Mariscal is the far more active of the two, peppering Ramos with kicks and punches while fully embodying his “Machine Gun” nickname. Ramos swings wide, and Mariscal sees the blows coming and slips away. When Mariscal sits down on a low kick, Ramos tries for a spinning elbow counter, but it misses the mark by a matter of inches. Mariscal lunges forward with a long one-two, and he walks into a head kick and catches it. Mariscal slings “Carcacinha” to the mat, and both get back up so they can keep striking. Ramos checks a low kick and gets pushed back from a front kick aimed at his thigh, and he absorbs a low kick on the way. Both men try spinning strikes, and Mariscal follows after him with punches and leg kicks. A telegraphed Ramos kick does not connect, and he gets backed off by a stern right hand from his opponent. Mariscal strikes and ducks, anticipating a spinning elbow that whizzes past his hair. Ramos darts in with a step-in elbow, and Mariscal drives him back with a clubbing left. Ramos loads up with a flurry of punches, and Mariscal goes wild with two spinning strikes and an onslaught of fists, with the fight ending in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal (30-27 Mariscal)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal (30-27 Mariscal)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal (30-27 Mariscal)

The Official Result

Jose Mariscal def. Ricardo Ramos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Austen Lane (249.5) vs. Mario Pinto (246.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pinto (-455), Lane (+350)

Round 1

The lone heavyweight engagement of the evening will serve as its preliminary headliner, presenting a fairly high likelihood that one man will be knocked out to end this night’s decision streak. While Lane (13-5, 1 NC; 1-2, 1 NC UFC) celebrates 85% of his wins via strikes, all five of his losses have also come the same way in a “live by the sword, die by the sword” dynamic. On the other hand, adversary Pinto (9-0, 0-0 UFC) has shown he can go five hard rounds—when in the driver’s seat—or score a speedy stoppage on his first flurry. Referee Mark Smith will need to be on high alert for as long as this lasts. There is a swift fist bump before the big men try to dislodge one another’s head from their shoulders, and Pinto calmly works his way forward while Lane is jittery and tense. Lane strikes first with a thudding thigh kick, and Pinto drills him in the calf in response. Lane splits the guard with a one-two, and his front leg is smacked again a few times. When Lane pushes off with a front kick, Pinto lashes out with an overhand right that catches the Floridian standing still. Lane crowds his opponent with a string of punches, resulting in them mashing up against the fence. Lane sticks out a jab, and Pinto wings a right hand over the top to sting him. Lane gathers his thoughts and works the body, opening up punches up top before he ties the unbeaten man up again. Pinto turns him about and knees him in the thigh a few times, and he whiffs on an elbow on the break. Lane crashes in with an uppercut to the midsection, and he backs away before getting countered. Pinto signals that Lane poked him or is pointing his fingers at his eyes, and Smith warns Lane to close his fists. Lane loops as left and right hand around the guard, with the second sending the man from Portugal crashing to the mat. Pinto shakes it off and climbs back to his feet, where Lane pushes him against the fence. Pinto breaks free and walks square into a right hand, but this one does not make him flinch. Lane blitzes his opponent to tie his man up, kneeing Pinto a few times until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lane
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lane
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Lane

Round 2

Pinto strides out of his corner ready to start fighting, and he walks Lane down and smashes him in the face. Lane swings back with reckless abandon, hurting the undefeated fighter but not downing him. Lane backs off instead of punching himself out, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before surging forward to let his hands go. Pinto ducks a jab, pitches his own out and wings a monstrous right hand that completely annihilates Lane. The back of Lane’s head clatters off the ground, out cold with his eyes eerily stuck open, and Pinto dives down to try to finish the job only for Smith to be in his way. The victorious Pinto stands and walks off to celebrate his handiwork, while medical professionals rush in to tend to the downed Floridian. Lane comes to and tries to stand up, but the officials keep him down to let him know what happened and make sure he does not have any permanent damage. After a little bit of observation, Lane is able to sit up and return to his feet, much to the relief of the fans and those watching. Meanwhile, Pinto has introduced himself to the masses in a big way, keeping his flawless record intact with a devastating knockout.

The Official Result

Mario Pinto def. Austen Lane R2 0:39 via KO (Punch)

Danny Barlow (170.5) vs. Sam Patterson (170.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barlow (-290), Patterson (+235)

Round 1

Much like the previous matchup, this scrap features a 9-0 up-and-comer with five career knockouts against a foe that has only lost in that fashion. The unbeaten fighter in this instance is Barlow (9-0, 2-0 UFC), who would love nothing more than to earn his sixth first-round stoppage at the expense of the taller Brit Patterson (12-2-1, 2-1 UFC). While the judges might be able to take this one off, referee Mike Beltran should be on his A-game for the next 15 minutes or less. The welterweights meander towards one another with no plan on touching gloves, and Barlow shifts right to the center of the cage. Patterson looks to put forth his long jab, and Barlow hand-fights to not absorb any. When Barlow kicks, he leaves himself open to a counter. Not to be outdone, though, Barlow comes over the top with a left hand that crashes into Patterson’s jaw. The Brit no-sells it and absorbs a low kick on his way out, and he jabs with a front kick and narrowly evades another looping left. Patterson scores a right to the body as Barlow bears down on him, with “Left Hand 2 God” completely unafraid of anything coming back his way so he can load up. Barlow connects with a leg kick and a solid left hand, and Patterson backs off when getting caught again. Barlow connects with a solid right and left, marking the bridge of Patterson’s nose when chasing. Barlow overswings with a huge punch, looking for the one-hitter quitter, while Patterson keeps himself composed ready for counters. With Barlow throwing himself off-balance swinging for the fences, Patterson sways and plunks Barlow on the chin with a powerful right hand that sends Barlow staggering back. Patterson races after his hurt opponent, stinging him again with another overhand right that strips Barlow’s balance away. Barlow tries to use the fence to get back up, and Patterson follows him with a perfect uppercut that puts Barlow down. With Barlow stuck on his side, Patterson beats on him without relenting until Beltran has seen enough. Beltran peels the Brit off of the downed Barlow to halt the contest, with Patterson striding off to celebrate his upset that ejects Barlow from the ranks of the unbeaten.

The Official Result

Sam Patterson def. Danny Barlow R1 3:10 via KO (Punches)

Hyder Amil (146) vs. William Gomis (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gomis (-198), Amil (+164)

Round 1

Hoping to keep his flawless record intact, Amil (10-0, 2-0 UFC) puts his 0 on the line against surging Frenchman Gomis (14-2, 4-0 UFC). Both men sport most of their pro wins by knockout while each holding a single victory via submission, while their respective chins have never been broken. If something’s gotta give for this featherweight collision, referee Chris Tognoni will make sure it is done on the up-and-up. A clap of hands leads to Amil surging forward with a high kick. When Gomis responds with a high kick, Amil grabs it and tries to hurl the Frenchman to the mat. Gomis fights out of it thanks to a fence grab, and when they separate, Tognoni makes sure to admonish him for that. Amil bears down on Gomis, slinging a right hand and shooting for a single. Gomis keeps himself upright with the wall at his back, sneaking in a knee when Amil is jockeying for position and trying to change levels. They trade knees in the clinch until splitting up, and Amil advances aggressively and dodges a flying knee to loop a right hand over the top. Gomis skirts away and kicks the body, staying elusive and evasive enough to dodge all but a big right hand from “The Hurricane.” Amil presses on Gomis again, doing some work until Gomis escapes again. Amil keeps after him, kicking the front leg until they once more clinch. Gomis breaks free with solid knee, and Amil does not back off and continues crowding him. Amil strikes with an elbow, Gomis responds and then spins with a back elbow that opens up a cut on the corner of Amil’s left eye. Gomis spins with a back fist, and goes to the well with another in rapid succession, spinning about to crack the unbeaten fighter with a right hand. Gomis scores and Amil fires back, and Gomis tries for one more spin. Amil shrugs it off and throws caution to the wind to engage, whipping a kick up high before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Gomis

Round 2

The fighters tap their hands and get right back to the furious melee, with Amil cracking Gomis right out of the gate and swinging with everything he has. Gomis steels himself and batters the front leg a few times, backpedaling and eating a low kick as Amil blitzes him with punches that lead to a clinch. When Gomis changes levels, Amil slings him to the mat, and they both get up and start trading. Gomis busts Amil in the chops, but he does not slow him one iota. Tognoni warns for grabbing the gloves as they are going after it, and Amil continues pressing the action as if he was double-parked. Gomis spins with two back fists and keeps turning to drill the body with a kick, and Amil laughs them off and busts Gomis in the chops with a fierce right hand. Amil is fearless and not wilting when taking damage coming forward, as Gomis is accurate and making him pay any time Amil gets a bit too reckless. Gomis uses his head movement to sway around a few punches, but Amil dings him with an inside low kick and an overhand right. Gomis flashes out a right hand, chewing up Amil’s lead leg but not making him think twice about advancing. Amil scores with a big right hand, and they trade body kicks. Amil overswings, resulting in a clinch, and he knees Gomis in the face when Gomis leans over. Amil loads up with five right hands, and Gomis bides his time to counter with a massive right hand that stuns Amil. Amil keeps plodding ever forward, throwing punches in bunches and landing cleanly on the French fighter. Gomis bounces on his feet to shake it off when he resets, and Amil is on him before long putting hands on him. Gomis drills his man with a back fist, and Amil stays in his grill punching him with everything he has. Amil shoots suddenly for a double, and when it fails, he backs away to adjust his knee sleeve. Amil then charges in again, looping a left over the guard and pushing Gomis to the wall. Amil digs a knee to the thigh before the wild round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Amil
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Gomis

Round 3

The featherweights come out swinging, taking full advantage of the 60-second respite so they can return to action. Amil does just what he did for the last 10 minutes, crashing forward throwing bombs. Gomis keeps his back to the wall, sticking his man with shots and prepping counters when he can muster them. Amil walks through punches that would fell lesser men so that he can swing back even harder. Amil gets clipped by a right hand and pushes Gomis back, and they go after one another’s lead leg with several kicks. Amil digs a kick to the body, drawing a smile out of the French fighter. Amil lets go with three right hands, and Gomis spins awkwardly with an elbow. Amil is on top of him putting punches on his target, and Gomis targets the body on hopes of slowing him down. Amil grips hold of a double, scooping Gomis up and depositing him gingerly to the canvas. Amil climbs on top in a quasi-half guard, with Gomis on his side trying to wriggle out, Amil flattens him out briefly and swarms him with left hands, and he switches to get off some right hands around the guard. Gomis gets to a knee with Amil draped behind over his back, and he explodes back to his feet. Gomis sticks out long punches to gain some space, and Amil swings for the bleachers from up close. Gomis attacks the body and gets off an uppercut, and Amil completely ignores it to drill Gomis with a crisp uppercut. Gomis has to actually shove Amil away to get just a second to breathe, and Amil is back in his face with volume to any target he can find. This is bonkers, the pace these two are putting in and the damage they have both not only sustained but ignored. The strike totals are high and extremely close, and Amil is aggressive as can be. Gomis strings several punches together, and Amil guards from them and strikes the body. Amil sells out with a throw that puts Gomis on the ground, and the French fighter gets back up. Amil relentlessly walks his man down, and they let it go right until the final bell sounds. What a fight.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Amil (29-28 Amil)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Amil (29-28 Gomis)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Amil (29-28 Gomis)

The Official Result

Hyder Amil def. William Gomis via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Nasrat Haqparast (156) vs. Esteban Ribovics (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ribovics (-278), Haqparast (+225)

Round 1

A potential lightweight slugfest is about to treat fans inside of the UFC warehouse, with two men that relish getting into torrid brawls with little regard for their own well-being due to the confidence in their skills. Haqparast (17-5, 9-4 UFC) has sneakily strung together a solid win streak of four straight, while Ribovics’ (14-1, 3-1 UFC) own three-win run has been a bit flashier. Referee Jason Herzog gets the call to keep the lid on this striker’s delight, one that kicks off as the fighters sportingly touch gloves. Ribovics needs less than five seconds to strike first with a low kick, and he follows around a circling Haqparast. Ribovics kicks the other leg and splits the guard with a right hand, prompting Haqparast to sit down on a left hand that makes Ribovics smile. Ribovics kicks high and drives a one-two down the pipe, and Haqparast is sharp with his counter. Haqparast whips a left hand up top, and Ribovics meets him with an uppercut as he backs Haqparast up. Haqparast jumps forward with a Superman punch, and they trade fast punches. Haqparast snaps out a left hand that gets through the guard again, splitting Ribovics’ lip with the powerful blow. Haqparast finds that left again, and Ribovics gives chase and has his fists largely bounce off the raised guard. Haqparast jabs and kicks the liver, and Ribovics grimaces and keeps powering forward. Haqparast parries a one-two and a third punch so he can come back over the top, and he digs another left foot to the liver. Ribovics connects with a heavy low kick and sways to avoid the worst of a left hook, but the body kick from Haqparast is effective as can be. Haqparast again leaps forward with a punch, and Ribovics hits gloves on the way back. Haqparast doubles up on the body kick, and a punch to the body nearly makes Ribovics double over. Haqparast misses with a left hook, but once more, his body kick is money. Ribovics responds with a body shot or two, and Haqparast is focused on working the midsection. Ribovics snaps the head back with a front kick as he presses the action, and two winding Haqparast left hands clip the man from Argentina. Chins are firmly on display as these two are laying into one another with powerful strikes, and Haqparast continues bludgeoning his opponent with left hands and body shots. Ribovics kicks high, and Haqparast does the same. When Ribovics sits down to put punches together, Haqparast beats him to the punch. Haqparast swings a big left, ending the round in style.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast

Round 2

A clap of hands preempts the action that quickly follows, as Ribovics is amped up to get started. When Ribovics scores a body kick, Haqparast strings several punches together to back him off for a second. Ribovics resets and parries the subsequent fists that fly his direction, slamming his shin on the lead leg of his opponent. Haqparast surprises his foe with a right hand, and Ribovics is right there in his face with a head kick and a step-in knee. Haqparast catches his adversary with two quick punches, and a third knocks Ribovics back. Haqparast then digs to the body, thus opening up strikes up top. The flow state for Haqparast has been entered, and he puts punches together on Ribovics’ face. Haqparast whips a pair of punches that wrap around the guard, and Ribovics’ responses bang into Haqparast’s guard. The punches from Ribovics get blocked, but the leg kicks are open for the Argentinian. Haqparast attacks the body, and he bloodies up Ribovics’ face with a quick flurry of punches. Ribovics knees the body and goes high with punches, and then he dips to land two body shots and resets to punch his man in the face. Haqparast digs the body with his front kick, and he has to take a step back after getting popped with an uppercut. Ribovics laughs off the punches and knees Haqparast in the face, and Haqparast is ready and willing to put volume on his foe. Ribovics matches him every step of the way, although more of his strikes are blocked and ricochet off the gloves. Haqparast splits the guard to get some respect, and Ribovics snaps into action with a five-punch salvo in the blink of an eye. They both go after head kicks, and Haqparast puts his feet down and catches Ribovics with a left. Ribovics fires off a left hand that momentarily staggers Haqparast, and he leans and cracks Haqparast at the bell with a right.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ribovics
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ribovics
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ribovics

Round 3

The fighters shake hands after a fun 10-minute scrap, and they pick up just where they left off with high volume and even higher intensity. Ribovics lands, Haqparast responds, Ribovics replies and Haqparast gives him more to think about. Neither man backs down much, intent on bludgeoning the other with everything they have. Ribovics comes up just short with an elbow, and Haqparast does the same. Haqparast splits the guard with a tomahawking elbow, and Ribovics puts hands right back in his face. When Ribovics scores, Haqparast kicks him in the liver. Ribovics kicks the side, prompting Haqparast to again target the same spot on the body a few times. Haqparast swings hard and misses a few times, and Ribovics ducks down and pounds his hands into the body. Ribovics sits down on a crisp left hand, and Haqparast has a chin like granite as he tanks it and fires back. They lay into each other with powerful strikes, and Ribovics hurts his man with a left hand and a blistering knee. Haqparast’s cheek is ripped open from the strike, and blood pours from the wound immediately. Ribovics targets it while Haqparast fires back with a wild flurry, and Haqparast changes things up by charging forward to secure a takedown. Ribovics gets to a knee and looks to stand, but Haqparast is locking him down and amassing some control time. Ribovics returns to a knee and turns the corner, whipping a kick at Haqparast when they both stand. Ribovics unloads on his opponent, and Haqparast snaps him back with a hard right hand in the midst of a bouquet of fists. Haqparast knocks his man back with a left, and he changes levels but is thwarted. Haqparast marches forward without fear, and Ribovics slips his punches and tags him back. Haqparast waves him on to start slugging and then shoots for a takedown, but Ribovics laughs it off and kicks Haqparast in the face. Haqparast wobbles, finally appearing to show some damage beyond the cut, and Ribovics raises his hands and dances. When the final bell sounds, Ribovics is all smiles, dancing and enjoying the 15-minute bloody battle the two just waged. Although “Fight of the Night” seemed all-but wrapped up with Amil vs. Gomis, this one may just challenge it for the bonus cash.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ribovics (29-28 Ribovics)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ribovics (29-28 Ribovics)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ribovics (29-28 Ribovics)

The Official Result

Nasrat Haqparast def. Esteban Ribovics via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Cody Brundage (186) vs. Julian Marquez (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marquez (-155), Brundage (+130)

Round 1

The year is 2025, and the UFC has placed Brundage (10-6, 1 NC; 4-5, 1 NC UFC) and Marquez (9-5, 3-4 UFC)—two men with UFC records below .500—in a co-main event slot. With dueling walkouts of “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey for the former and the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” for the latter, all 50 or so people visible in the Apex are having a blast. The middleweights will be joined in the cage by referee Mark Smith. They touch gloves. Marquez runs forward and stops just before getting kicked in the head, but Brundage comes at him with a knee and a massive right hand. A second bomb of a right hand hurts Marquez, who stumbles back and bounces off the fence to stay afloat. Brundage leaps at him with a flying knee, and when he misses, Marquez pushes him away and may have gotten away with an eye poke. Brundage wipes at his eye and lets loose a head kick, and he chops at the front leg with a kick. Brundage sits down on a right hand when Marquez is aiming at the body, and he beats “The Cuban Missile Crisis” to the punch with a jab and an overhand right. Brundage snaps the head back with an uppercut, and he gets pushed back from the blunt force of a clubbing punch from his opponent. Brundage leaps at his man and lands on the ground, and Marquez dives down for a possible takedown. Brundage locks up a Dave Schultz front headlock, and Marquez fights out of it, gets to his feet and drills Brundage with a left hand. Brundage shakes it off and strikes back with a right hand up top, and both men start swinging for the fences from up close. Brundage breaks up the firefight with a head kick, and he leans back as a right hook zooms past him. Brundage settles himself down and chips at the front leg, and Marquez snaps out a power jab and follows it with a monster right hand that dislodges Brundage’s mouthpiece. Brundage, in grave danger, leans over and finds himself in guillotine choke danger. Through sheer force of will, Brundage leans up and surges into action with hilariously damaging punches. Brundage knocks Marquez’ mouthpiece out as well in a scene out of an action movie, and both men blast one another with everything they have. Smith finds a moment to pause and give them both their gumshields back, and they replace them and come back out swinging. With shades of the Toughman contests of old, both middleweights decide that it is time to slug one another in the face violently and brutally until Marquez hits the deck courtesy of a tremendous right hand. Brundage leaps on top and starts blasting with his free right hand, and Marquez desperately shoots for a takedown to try to get his wits back. Brundage does not let his man off the hook, hammering the MMA Lab fighter with thudding blows. Smith implores Marquez to fight back, but the way Brundage is positioned from behind with his left arm wrapping up Marquez, Marquez is unable to posture up or defend himself. As punches continue rapping Marquez upside the head, Smith has no choice but to say enough is enough and call an end to this ridiculous slobberknocker. Overcome with emotions, a tear-stricken Brundage roars, and the Apex gets about as loud as it possibly can be after that gunslinger’s duel giving it up for the two men in the Octagon. Marquez removes his gloves after the terrific match but does not appear to leave them in the cage, perhaps deciding not to make a rash decision after such a fun clash.

The Official Result

Cody Brundage def. Julian Marquez R1 4:45 via TKO (Punches)

Manel Kape (126) vs. Asu Almabayev (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Kape (-205), Almabayev (+170)

Round 1

Rather than throwing hands with Brandon Royval, Kape (20-7, 5-3 UFC) gets a new foe on relatively short notice. Having prevailed in his last 17 outings including four in the UFC, Kazakhstan’s own Almabayev (21-2, 4-0 UFC) is ready to become a title contender. The wild flyweight stylistic clash will be overseen by referee Mike Beltran, who brings the two to the center of the cage to issue final instructions and bump fists. It’s on with the show. In alternate stances, they hand-fight early without engaging. Both men have their lead hands pop into each other until Almabayev springs into action with a powerful, audible body kick. Kape circles away and kicks the lead leg back. A lull in fight leads to a funny call from the audience, and Kape suddenly explodes forward with two left hands. Almabayev bounces off the wall and responds with an overhand right that comes up short, and Kape again charges him with a left. Almabayev ducks down and fires off a right hook and follows with a body kick, and Kape takes some time before again bursting straight ahead. Two quick blitzes from “Starboy” make Almabayev shrug his shoulders before kicking the body, and Kape brushes his arm to signals the kick did not land. Kape crashes in with a left, getting close enough to push himself past a spin kick from the Kazakhstan native. Kape reaches his opponent with two punches and wipes at his eye, with Almabayev possibly scraping him in the left eye when pushing off to escape. Kape cracks Almabayev again with his explosive, leaping punch, and Almabayev rebounds and stumbles off the fencing before gathering himself. Kape times a left and opens up with a right, hurting the streaking Almabayev and opening a cut around his left eye. Almabayev has a head kick blocked, and Kape attacks with a fury, snapping Almabayev’s head back and bouncing him off the fencing once more. Almabayev jabs, and he shoots for a single as Kape races at him. Kape shuts it down without concern, walks through a spinning elbow and puts six punches in rapid succession on Almabayev’s head and body. Kape’s swinging fists lead to Almabayev trying to grab hold of him, and Kape shoves him back and walks off. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Kape

Round 2

Almabayev’s eye has taken some serious damage from Kape’s knuckles, with blood appearing in the eyeball itself and not just leaking down his nose. Almabayev starts off the rounds in hopes of not letting Kape reach him by measuring out front kicks. A failed level change from Almabayev allows Kape to catch him with a punch, and Kape allows him to kick him so he can find his way in. As Kape backs off, he ducks to anticipatorily evade a spinning back kick. Kape measures more carefully than before, not lunging nearly as often, perhaps due to the threat of the takedown. Almabayev scores a left hand, and Kape brushes his shoulder off. When Kape threatens to come in, Almabayev fires off a head kick, and he leaps at Kape with a knee. Kape stands back, marches in to swing and gets clipped with a left hook. “Starboy” shrugs it off entirely and keeps advancing, backing off only when a spin kick flies by his face. Almabayev loads up on a power leg kick, turning his hips into the strike, and Kape quickly changes stances. Almabayev scores a left hand and fires off a head kick, and Kape barely blocks the kick in time. Almabayev splits the guard with an effective front kick, and Kape is stuck staring at him, feinting but not engaging with much more than single strikes. One such right hand scores, and Kape settles himself down and then suddenly leaps forward with a flying knee. When landing, he dings Almabayev with a right hand, and he lets Almabayev rebound off the wall and wags his finger at him. Almabayev rips a left hand to the body and narrowly misses a right over the top, and Kape walks him down and slips, recovering his footing to wipe his foot off. Kape then spins with a wheel kick, and he runs at Almabayev with fists flying. Almabayev signals to Beltran that he was poked in the eye, and Kape declares that it was a punch. After just a couple seconds, the replay official states it was a punch, and he restarts the fight. Kape charges again with leaping punches, catching Almabayev at the end of a right before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Kape

Round 3

The flyweights are so amped to get back to it, Beltran has to back them off before clocking them in. Kape takes the center of the cage and has his guard up to defend a body kick, but a low kick from Almabayev lands cleanly and trips Kape up. Kape strides forward, hurling punches at the midsection of his opponent, and Almabayev circles away to take the sting out of them. Kape probes his way in and has his front leg kicked hard, and he shrugs it off to punch Almabayey square in the jaw. Almabayev strikes back just as cleanly, and Kape maintains the pressure to make Almabayev have to sprint away. Almabayev shoots for a takedown, and when it fails, he has to back off. Kape surges forward throwing hands, and Almabayev claims he was poked again in the eye and tries to call time out. Beltran is having none of it—even though it was actually a swipe on his eyeball—and Almabayev desperately shoots. Kape shuts it down and lays into Almabayev with concussive punches. As Kape lays it on with knees and punches, Almabayev turns tail and runs away, and Kape sprints after him hitting him whenever he can reach him. Beltran follows them closely as the 125ers speed around the Octagon, and after he catches up to a retreating Almabayev, he decides to wave the fight off. At that moment, Almabayev was shooting for a double, but Beltran may have interpreted the running from one end of the cage to the other as physically surrendering and intervened. There will be much to discuss regarding Beltran and how this fight played out, including two uncalled eye scrapes—but Beltran is the sole arbiter of the bout, and fighters cannot call time-out. There may also be some debate on the specific nature of the stoppage, as Beltran stepped in several seconds after Kape landed any strikes, and therefore would be classified differently than a standard finish like via punches or some specific blow. No matter the exact method, it goes down as a technical knockout for “Starboy,” who demands two things: a title shot, and for his daughter to be allowed in the cage and into his arms. The promotion ushers her in, and she asks if Kape won. He proudly says he did, and that he is the best. It is very likely that Kape will have an opportunity to prove he is indeed the best flyweight in the world in his next encounter, in a rematch with champion Alexandre Pantoja, who bested him in 2021. If that fight happens next, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Manel Kape def. Asu Almabayev R3 2:16 via TKO (Retirement)