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UFC Fight Night Vegas 103: Kape vs. Almabayev – A Night of Fireworks, Drama, and Unforgettable Moments
The UFC returned to the iconic Apex Center in Las Vegas on March 1, 2025, for UFC Fight Night Vegas 103, and what a night it was! Headlined by a flyweight clash between the explosive Manel Kape and the rising star Asu Almabayev, this event delivered everything fans could hope for: jaw-dropping knockouts, slick submissions, and a main event that left the MMA world buzzing.
In this article, we’ll break down every fight, analyze the key moments, and explore what’s next for the winners and losers. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let’s relive the action-packed night that was UFC Fight Night Vegas 103.
The Main Event: Kape vs. Almabayev – A Clash of Styles
The main event promised fireworks, and it delivered in spades. Manel Kape, the Angolan-Portuguese striker known for his flashy striking and knockout power, faced off against Asu Almabayev, the Kazakh grappling phenom with a relentless wrestling game.
From the opening bell, Kape came out swinging, looking to establish his range with sharp kicks and lightning-fast combinations. Almabayev, however, stayed composed, using his footwork to avoid the early onslaught and looking for opportunities to close the distance.
The first round was a tactical battle, with Kape landing clean shots but Almabayev scoring a crucial takedown in the final minute to steal the round. The second round saw Kape adjust his strategy, stuffing Almabayev’s takedown attempts and unleashing a flurry of punches that had the Kazakh fighter in trouble.
The third round was pure chaos. Kape dropped Almabayev with a devastating left hook, but Almabayev somehow survived and turned the tables with a takedown and a series of ground-and-pound strikes. In the end, the judges awarded Kape a split decision victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), but the fight was so close that an immediate rematch seems inevitable.
What’s Next for Kape?
With this win, Kape solidifies his position as a top contender in the flyweight division. A title shot against the winner of the upcoming Moreno-Pantoja rematch could be on the horizon.
What’s Next for Almabayev?
Despite the loss, Almabayev’s stock rose thanks to his heart and resilience. A fight against another top-10 opponent, like Alex Perez or Tim Elliott, would make sense for his next outing.
Co-Main Event: A Lightweight Showdown for the Ages
In the co-main event, lightweight contenders Renato Moicano and Jalin Turner squared off in a battle of striking vs. grappling. Moicano, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, looked to take the fight to the ground, while Turner, the rangy striker, aimed to keep it standing.
The fight was a back-and-forth war, with Turner landing heavy shots in the first round and Moicano dominating the second with his grappling. In the third round, Moicano locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing Turner to tap out at the 3:12 mark.
What’s Next for Moicano?
Moicano called for a top-5 opponent in his post-fight interview, and a matchup against someone like Rafael Fiziev or Mateusz Gamrot would be a logical next step.
What’s Next for Turner?
Turner’s loss is a setback, but his striking skills remain elite. A fight against a fellow striker, like Dan Hooker or Brad Riddell, could help him get back on track.
Prelim Highlights: Rising Stars and Shocking Upsets
The prelims were packed with action, and several fighters made a name for themselves.
1. Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Joanderson Brito
In a battle of Brazilian featherweights, Diego Lopes edged out Joanderson Brito via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Lopes’ slick grappling and submission attempts were the difference in a closely contested fight.
2. Women’s Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci vs. Polyana Viana
Tabatha Ricci continued her rise up the strawweight rankings with a dominant performance against Polyana Viana. Ricci secured a second-round armbar submission, showcasing her improved grappling skills.
3. Welterweight: Michael Morales vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
In one of the biggest upsets of the night, Rinat Fakhretdinov defeated the highly touted Michael Morales via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Fakhretdinov’s relentless pressure and wrestling were too much for Morales to handle.
Fight of the Night: Kape vs. Almabayev
The main event took home Fight of the Night honors, and rightfully so. The back-and-forth action, combined with the high stakes, made it an instant classic.
Performance of the Night: Tabatha Ricci and Renato Moicano
Tabatha Ricci’s slick submission and Renato Moicano’s dominant grappling earned them Performance of the Night bonuses.
What’s Next for the UFC?
UFC Fight Night Vegas 103 was a reminder of why we love this sport. From the technical brilliance of Kape and Almabayev to the heart-stopping action of the prelims, this event had it all.
As we look ahead, the flyweight division is more exciting than ever, and the lightweight division continues to deliver must-see matchups. With UFC 300 on the horizon, the promotion is firing on all cylinders, and fans can’t wait to see what’s next.
Final Thoughts
UFC Fight Night Vegas 103 was a night to remember. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this event had something for everyone. As we dissect the results and look ahead to the future, one thing is clear: the UFC continues to deliver the best combat sports action on the planet.
Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and predictions as we continue to follow the thrilling world of MMA. Until next time, keep your gloves up and your passion for the sport alive!
What did you think of UFC Fight Night Vegas 103? Who stood out to you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?