UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev Promises Intense Showdown

LAS VEGAS, NV — The highly anticipated UFC Fight Night takes place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the UFC APEX, featuring a main event clash between top ten flyweights Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev. This matchup not only represents a key battle in the 125-pound division but also a chance for both fighters to edge closer to a championship opportunity.

Manel Kape (20-7-0), ranked No. 6, is returning to the Octagon following an impressive third-round stoppage of Bruno Silva last December. He has maintained a steady presence in the title conversation since joining the UFC and is eager to build on his success. “I’m sure about that because we’ve been talking” about a potential title shot after this fight, Kape remarked in a recent interview.

On the other side, Asu Almabayev (21-2-0), currently ranked No. 8, enters this bout with four consecutive victories in the UFC, contributing to a staggering overall 17-fight win streak. The Kazakh fighter is coming off a noteworthy decision win over Matheus Nicolau, solidifying his status as a formidable contender in the flyweight ranks. Almabayev sees this fight as a prime opportunity to showcase his skills against a well-regarded opponent. “Manel is a good striker but he’s never wrestled with me,” he stated through an interpreter.

The co-main event features Cody Brundage against Julian Marquez in the middleweight division. Both fighters are looking to break a streak of poor performances; Brundage has not won since 2023, while Marquez aims to halt a three-fight losing skid. The stakes for both fighters are high as they seek to revive their careers.

Additionally, the fight card includes an exciting lightweight clash between Nasrat Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics, with both fighters looking to solidify their positions in the division. Haqparast brings a four-fight winning streak to the Octagon, showcasing his skills while Ribovics continues to build on his success following a rapid knockout of Terrance McKinney last year.

Fans can anticipate fierce competition across the night, with matches such as Austen Lane vs. Mario Pinto and Hyder Amil vs. William Gomis promising thrilling action. The preliminary card will also feature bouts like Andrea Lee vs. JJ Aldrich and Charles Johnson vs. Ramazan Temirov, setting the stage for a comprehensive showcase of talent in Mixed Martial Arts.

UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev begins with preliminary fights at 4 p.m. ET followed by the main card at 7 p.m. ET, streaming exclusively on ESPN+.