The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back at it again tonight, Saturday, March 1, 2025, with UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev, taking place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the ESPN+-streamed event is the highly-anticipated flyweight clash between No. 6 ranked Manel Kape and No. 8 ranked contender, who promises to be as thrilling as it is pivotal for the division.
Manel Kape, known as "Starboy," enters the octagon with impressive credentials, holding a 20-7 record. The Angola-born fighter is recognized for his blistering speed and knockout power, boasting 12 wins by KO. Kape is coming off solid performances, winning four of his last five bouts. This opportunity marks his chance to move closer to title contention, especially after the original matchup against No. 1 ranked Brandon Royval was scrubbed due to injury. Now, facing Kazakh newcomer Almabayev, Kape aims to solidify his case for a title fight against 125-pound champion Alexandre Pantoja.
On the contrary, Almabayev holds impressive stats as well with his 21-2 record and, like Kape, is riding high on momentum with a five-fight win streak extending back to 2017. Known for his grappling proficiency, he has secured nine of his victories via submission, including six by rear-naked choke. This bout could be pivotal for him as well, presenting the opportunity to break through to the upper echelon of the flyweight division.
The co-main event features another electrifying matchup, pitting Julian Marquez against Cody Brundage. Marquez, nicknamed "The Cuban Missile Crisis," is seeking to turn his luck around after suffering through three consecutive defeats. His previous bouts were laden with dramatic finishes, which make him exciting to watch but leave him with much to prove tonight. Likewise, Cody Brundage is trying to bounce back after his last fight ended as a no-contest, maintaining his aggressive style with hopes of reclaiming his footing.
Adding to the action is the lightweight showdown between Nasrat Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics. Haqparast brings his technical boxing prowess to the cage with valuable UFC experience under his belt, highlighted by his 17-5 record. On the opposite end, Ribovics, holding his own impressive streak at 14-1, aims to continue impressing after finishing Drew Dober with authority recently.
Further intriguing is the featherweight contest featuring Hyder Amil, who is undefeated at 10-0, squaring off against the seasoned William Gomis, who rides on a solid 14-2 record and aims to breach the competitive top ranks. Their bout promises fireworks as both fighters have shown knockout capability nearly equally.
The card kicks off with Danny Barlow against Sam Patterson, where Barlow, 9-0, would love to continue his winning streak against Patterson, whose record stands at 12-2-1. Both fighters are vying for respect and recognition, igniting the main card with their bout.
Fans are also buzzing about the preliminary matchups. Highlighting these are Austen Lane facing Mario Pinto, with the latter making his UFC debut after showcasing prowess on Dana White's Contender Series. Other notable prelims include Ricardo Ramos taking on Chepe Mariscal and Andrea Lee battling JJ Aldrich, both matches offering rich narratives.
Fans of the sport eagerly anticipate one of the evening's most talked-about bouts. Manel Kape and his opponent, Almabayev, both refusing to leave anything on the table as they seek to stake their claim as true title contenders.
With weigh-in day rife with drama, including canceled and weight miss incidents, UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev promises high stakes and hard-hitting action. The preliminaries commence at 4:30 PM ET, leading up to the electrifying main card beginning at 7 PM ET, exclusively on ESPN+. Tonight is not just another event; it's the battleground of the hungry fighters of the UFC community, and every matchup holds potential to reshape the fight scene. Prepare for adrenaline and excitement as the contenders take their final steps toward glory.