Kape v Almabayev UFC betting preview & top picks

Rising featherweight contenders Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev will showcase their championship credentials when they clash for UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday night. Both competitors bring strong winning form into the matchup, but Kape is a warm favourite with leading UFC bookmakers based on a longer training camp and a higher profile with fight fans. Read on for a full fight breakdown and free betting predictions. 


Kape v Almabayev UFC Fight Night main event preview

Manel Kape (20-7-0) has won five of his last six UFC bouts and is considered a genuine threat to the flyweight crown. He has been working steadily through the grades with recent wins over Bruno Silva, Felipe dos Santos, and David Dvorak. The 31-year-old is now ranked sixth in this competitive weight division, but he must fight off a unique challenge in Las Vegas to further advance his title aspirations.

Kape’s most dangerous weapon inside the octagon is blinding speed. The Angolan throws lengthy combinations of punches that are barely visible to the naked eye, while his forward press can be almost impossible to counter when momentum is in his favour. Kape is also adept at sliding just out of range and returning fire when an opponent is off balance and unprotected. His weakness is a tendency to cruise for long periods — a trait that fares poorly with the judges.

Asu Almabayev (21-2-0) has carved a perfect 4-0 record since joining the UFC in 2023, with wins over Matheus Nicolau, Jose Johnson, CJ Varga, and Ode Osbourne. The 31-year-old throws flashy kicks but has only three knockout wins to his name. His striking sets up a dangerous ground game that has yielded nine submissions and contributed to nine decision victories. While he only stepped in for this matchup four weeks ago, the Kazakh fighter rides a wave of confidence having gone undefeated since 2017.

With his varied arsenal, Almabayev poses a constant threat and cannot be underestimated — despite his generous betting quote with online bookies. He may struggle in a pure standup contest against such a slick striker, but he should have an edge in the wrestling and grappling departments. Almabayev’s superior record with the judges may come into play if the contest reaches the championship rounds.

Kape v Almabayev UFC Fight Night predictions

This fight will be determined by where it takes place. Kape’s hands might be too quick and dynamic for Almabayev during short bursts, but that advantage can be overcome if the action hits the mat. If Kape can dominate early, he should be able to emerge victorious; however, if the opening rounds are close, Almabayev will fancy his chances of grinding out a points victory. In this clash of contrasting styles, we are leaning toward the more reliable commodity to prevail across five rounds.

Asu Almabayev by decision

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