LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 12: Manel Kape of Angola poses on the dimensions throughout the UFC Combat Night time weigh-in at UFC APEX on January 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photos)
The UFC Vegas 103 combat evening card held on the Apex turned out higher than it seemed on paper. We noticed undefeated fighters get upset and a few maintain their ‘0’. We additionally had some wild back-and-forth affairs within the co-main occasion and the function bout. And the evening was capped off by an excellent efficiency from flyweight contender Manel Kape. With UFC Vegas 103 within the books, it’s now time to do some matchmaking.
Manel Kape
After some unhealthy luck attending to the octagon early in his UFC stint, Kape has now efficiently KO’d his final two opponents within the span of three months. This was his first principal occasion, and he made essentially the most of that chance. Regardless of some controversy relating to eye rakes and a probably early stoppage at UFC Vegas 103, Kape was within the driver seat for the whole lot of the competition. His final two performances have helped followers overlook the weirdness from his assembly with Muhammad Mokaev final July.
With Alexandre Pantoja having crushed many of the flyweight contenders (a few of them a number of instances), Kape has in all probability earned himself a rematch with the flyweight king. Although not official, it’s anticipated that Pantoja will defend his belt in opposition to Kai Kara-France in June. That’s three months from now, which units up an affordable timeline for Kape to problem for the title within the again half of the 12 months.
Kape’s subsequent combat: Flyweight title shot
Cody Brundage
Some have been perplexed by the cardboard’s bout order, particularly with this co-main occasion. Nonetheless, what was by no means in query was the motion this matchup was going to ship. Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez clashing in opposition to each other was at all times going to make for a enjoyable scrap for nonetheless lengthy it was going to final.
After revealing that this was the final combat on his contract, Brundage might have simply saved his job with this first-round TKO victory. The only method to matchmake for him is to guide him in opposition to fighters the UFC needs to check. He was initially alleged to face Ryan Loder on Saturday. Let’s simply re-book that combat and see if final season’s TUF winner can cross this check.
Brundage’s subsequent combat: Ryan Loder
Nasrat Haqparast
Haqparast met Esteban Ribovics in a combat between two streaking lightweights at UFC Vegas 103 with maybe an opportunity on the rankings on the road. It was one other cut up choice victory for the Moroccan who noticed his win streak develop to 5.
He known as for a combat with Renato Moicano subsequent, and whereas that will be a fantastic choice, I’m uncertain he’ll really get it. My hunch can be that the UFC affords somebody just a little decrease. The loser of the upcoming Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes combat might work, however I as a substitute went with Grant Dawson. Dawson has fought his manner again to the rankings after his loss to King Inexperienced with three straight victories. He can now defend his spot in opposition to Haqparast.
Haqparast’s subsequent combat: Grant Dawson
Hyder Amil
In a 12 months the place undefeated have had a lopsided shedding report, Hyder Amil received to maintain his excellent report intact in a hard-fought cut up choice win over William Gomis. Amil handed the Frenchman his first UFC loss, rallying again after shedding the opening spherical.
Not not like Chepe Mariscal, one other featherweight who fought on this card, I doubt Amil might be provided ranked opposition subsequent as there are different fighters in all probability forward of them within the choosing order. Fighters like Doo Ho Choi and Steve Garcia can in all probability anticipate a ranked opponent earlier than them. So why not guide Amil and Mariscal in opposition to one another to see who will get the subsequent crack on the top15?
Amil’s subsequent combat: Chepe Mariscal
Sam Patterson
Patterson recorded his third consecutive first-round end, this one through knockout, as he snatched Danny Barlow’s ‘0’ in violent vogue to open the UFC Vegas 103 principal card. The Englishman is now an ideal 3-0 since making transferring as much as welterweight. Racking up finishes, particularly fast ones, will at all times provide you with an edge with the matchmakers, so perhaps Patterson will get a extra high-profile matchup than I’m anticipating. With recognized veterans Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez will meet in Des Moines on Might 3, perhaps Patterson attracts the winner?
As a substitute, I imagine the UFC can have him face yet one more fighter in his present tier earlier than matching him up with a Ponzinibbio or a D-Rod. In spite of everything, he’s solely 28 years of age, so there’s no rush. One other fighter who can also be excellent since making the change to welterweight is Chidi Njokuani. He’s set to face off with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos simply two weeks from now. If Patterson can beat the winner of that combat, then he’ll be taking a look at a rise within the stage of competitors.
Patterson’s subsequent combat: Njokuani/dos Santos winner
