UFC Fight Night 253 went down from the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada earlier tonight (Saturday, March 1, 2025) and featured a flyweight main event. Manel Kape took on Asu Almabayev in a bout that was scheduled to go five rounds.
Kape, the No. 6-ranked flyweight in the division, entered the contest off a big third-round TKO win over Bruno Gustavo da Silva back in December. It was a bounce-back victory after suffering a decision loss to Muhammad Mokaev the previous July. He faced Almabayev, the No. 8-ranked 125-pounder, who looked to keep his undefeated UFC record intact against Kape.
Almabayev landed a good kick to the body to start things off, but Kape made him pay by catching the legs and connecting on several repeated jabs. Kape managed to land a nice left hand that backed Almabayev against the cage. Kape attempted to push forward but Almabayev fended him off with strikes. Kape again pressed forward, connecting on a few shots that forced Almabayev to circle out.
Almabayev managed a left hook as Kape missed on an inside strike. More forward pressure from Kape as he lands some hooks that put Almabayev against the cage yet again before he circles out. Almabayev attempted a takedown that was stuffed. Almabayev landed a spinning elbow but paid for it as Kape retaliated with some repeated straights to the face to end the round.
The second round kicked off with another stuffed takedown attempt from Almabayev. A wild overhand right was just missed as Kape moved out the way. Kape managed to side-step a few spinning back kick attempts from Almabayev. Kape continued to show off great movement, dodging Almabayev’s attacks. Almabayev just missed on a flying knee and Kape pressed forward on him against the cage. Kape ate a counter-strike from Almabayev but he continued to press forward, keeping Almabayev on the retreat. Kape managed a beautiful counter right overhand that was answered gy a front kick form Almabayev.
Kape jumped inside with a flying knee to the body, and landed a follow-up straight. More beautiful movement from Kape followed, as he continued to doge Almabayev’s attacks. A lead right hook for Kape landed but Almabayev subsequently claimed there was an eye poke that temporarily stopped the action. After a few seconds, the action resumed and Kape pressed forward hard to end the round.
The third round started off with a few blocked kicks from Almabayev. Kape pressed forward yet again and had Almabayev against the cage. Almabayev missed wildly on a hook and Kape followed up with pressure. He managed to land some shots against the cage that stunned Almabayev, dropping him, and Almabayev was forced in on a takedown attempt that resulted in a sprawled out position for the two men where they stalemated for a moment.
Once back up to their feet, Kape again pressured forward quickly, landing multiple strikes to Almabayev’s face, forcing Almabayev to run. Kape chased him down, landing a strike to the face again before the referee stepped in after having seen enough.
Official Result: Manel Kape def. Asu Almabayev via R3 TKO (punches, 2:16)
