Manel Kape stopped Almabayev at UFC Fight Night 253, extending his win streak to six and calling for a flyweight title shot after a dominant TKO victory.
Manel Kape made a strong case for a UFC flyweight title shot with a dominant third-round TKO victory over Asu Almabayev in the main event of UFC Fight Night 253 in Las Vegas.
Entering the fight as a -200 favorite with top UFC betting sites, the former Rizin champion delivered on expectations, using superior striking and defensive grappling to overwhelm Almabayev before referee Mike Beltran stopped the bout at 2:16 of Round 3.
Despite Almabayev’s efforts to implement his wrestling, Kape controlled the pace and landed the more damaging shots. However, the fight was not without controversy.
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In the second round, Kape appeared to rake Almabayev’s eye, but the referee and review officials deemed it a legal strike.
Another apparent eye poke in the third round also went uncalled, despite Almabayev signaling for a timeout. Kape capitalized on the moment, pressing forward aggressively and forcing Almabayev to retreat before securing the stoppage.
“They’re gonna deny again my title shot?” Kape said in his post-fight interview.
“UFC, you know I’m the best. I just stopped a guy with a 17-fight win streak. Everybody was scared to fight him because he’s a wrestler. You guys thought I was scared to fight him because he’s a wrestler. I can wrestle and stand with anyone in this division. I’m the best. I’m the Starboy.”
Following the victory, Kape celebrated inside the octagon with his young daughter, saying, “Daddy win,” as he embraced another statement performance.
The win immediately sparked calls for Kape to receive a title shot, with former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling tweeting, “Manel Kape fights for the belt next!! Great performance! #UFCVegas103.”
Welterweight contender Belal Muhammad echoed the sentiment, writing, “Give that man a title shot.”
Almabayev, who suffered his first loss in 18 fights, may have concerns over the uncalled fouls, but Kape’s dominance was clear. UFC statistics showed Kape outlanded Almabayev 63-40 in total strikes, dictating the action throughout.
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In the co-main event, Cody Brundage pulled off a dramatic first-round TKO win as a +113 underdog with the top sportsbook over Julian Marquez.
After surviving early adversity, Brundage landed a powerful uppercut and followed up with ground-and-pound to seal the finish.
Elsewhere on the card, Nasrat Haqparast edged Esteban Ribovics via split decision, Hyder Amil remained undefeated with a hard-fought win over William Gomis, and Sam Patterson handed Danny Barlow his first professional loss with a first-round knockout.
With Kape now riding a six-fight win streak, the UFC faces a clear decision on the next flyweight title challenger.
The promotion now shifts its focus to UFC 313, where Alex Pereira will defend his light heavyweight belt for the fourth time against Magomed Ankalaev.
Both fighters are currently listed at -113.64 with Nags.bet.
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