HOF | UFC Vegas 103
UFC Vegas 103
UFC Vegas 103 promises an exciting night of action this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main event features a pivotal flyweight clash between Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev. Kape, known for his explosive striking, aims to solidify his position as a title contender. Almabayev, riding a 17-fight win streak, looks to upset the odds and make a statement in the division.
The co-main event pits middleweights Cody Brundage against Julian Marquez in what should be a fan-friendly slugfest. Both fighters are known for their aggressive styles and finishing abilities.
Other notable bouts include Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics in a lightweight contest that could produce fireworks, and a heavyweight clash between Austen Lane and Mario Pinto.
The preliminary card features several intriguing matchups, including Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson in the welterweight division and a featherweight tilt between Ricardo Ramos and Chepe Mariscal.
With a mix of established veterans and rising prospects, UFC Vegas 103 has the potential to reshape multiple divisions and produce memorable moments. Keep an eye on flyweight Ramazan Temirov, who faces Charles Johnson after an impressive UFC debut.
The Home of Fight Experts are here to help put cash into your pockets for this stacked fight night event, so let’s see what they have cooking for this weekend!
Kape vs Almabayev | UFC
Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev
- HayJive – Manel Kape
“I find it hard to believe Almabayev can take down and control Kape for at least 3 rounds in this fight. Kape has excellent TD defense and get ups, if he can maintain solid activity on the feet I think he wins this.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Manel Kape
“Kape is the toughest fight for Asu to date. If Asu can’t find success with the wrestling this will get ugly on the feet. If Kape performs the way he did in Tampa, he will cover the price tag.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Manel Kape
“Manel’s experience will shine here. Almabayev is great in getting the takedowns but keeping Manel on the ground is a different conversation. Over 5 rounds, we can see Manel pour on the pressure, especially when the takedowns don’t come as easy.”
- Austin Swaim – Asu Almabayev
“Short notice is working against Asu, but trusting his conditioning, he’s got more willing hands and more efficient takedowns than Mokaev. I just don’t see Kape stuffing all of the shots to cover his betting number.”
- Corrie – Manel Kape
“I’m leaning towards Manel Kape. His striking speed and power should give Almabayev trouble. Almabayev’s a great wrestler, but Kape’s striking edge and UFC experience make him the pick for me. Could see this going to decision, but I like Kape to take it.”
- The Fight Analyst – Manel Kape
“Manel Kape was getting ready for a No. 1 contender fight against a dynamic fighter in Brandon Royval. Now, he gets a one-noted grappler in Asu Almabayev which is a matchup where Kape should excel. Kape’s great takedown defense should be on full display and his striking will become more dangerous as the fight goes on as Almabayev fades down the stretch. Kape goes in there, defends the takedowns, and gets the late finish solidifying his spot to contend for the title next.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez
- HayJive – Cody Brundage
“Marquez looks washed to me, but Brundage isn’t exactly the most trustworthy fighter. However I am gonna take Brundage to get this one done, his skills are there, just a matter of him showing up and fighting to his abilities.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Cody Brundage
“Cody has had his ups and downs but so has Marquez, as Marquez is on a three fight losing streak all by knockout. Brundage has power, wrestling, and submissions while being the younger fighter who’s fighting or more. I’ll take the underdog every time in this spot.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Cody Brundage
“Despite it being Cody Brundage, he finds odd ways to win and this time around, it can be pretty simple. He’s the fresher fighter, didn’t take much damage and Marquez has a sub 50% striking defense and has been hurt a ton.”
- Austin Swaim – Cody Brundage
“Marquez has been dropped four times in three straight (T)KO losses, and oddly, Cody has the takedown upside of these two to win minutes, too. This is a volatile fight, but Brundage should be favored to win it.”
- Corrie – Cody Brundage
“Not much to be said on this one… I’m going with Cody. He’s a solid wrestler, hits wicked hard, AND is seeming a lot more focused lately whereas Marquez has been underwhelming on a 3 fight losing streak, all by (T)KO and I’m honestly pretty surprised he’s co-maining an event in 2025. I think Brundage is a good underdog pick here… Lots of people are backing him for this fight, and I can see why.”
- The Fight Analyst – Cody Brundage
“It’s crazy how it’s 2025 and we have a co-main event that includes Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez. Very hard to trust either of those two with hard-earned cash, however, Brundage just seems to have more ways to win and might have less of a durability issue as Marquez at this stage of their careers. Brundage gets the early stoppage and gets back into the win column.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics
- HayJive – Esteban Ribovics
“Ribovics is one of my favorite fighters outside the rankings and he’s getting a great opponent. It will be competitive, but Ribovics volume, power, durability, and cardio combo should help him secure the win here.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Esteban Ribovics
“Ribovics is coming off of a fight of the year matchup where he was able to beat one of the more technical prospects in the division. Nasrat is technical as well, but Esteban has that gear where he can melt opponents with pressure and volume while landing damaging shots. I expect another great performance.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Esteban Ribovics
“Ribovics is ascending into his prime, and he’s a great striker. Nasrat is great defensively, but the volume of Ribovics has the power+volume edge. I can expect a closer fight with the bigger moments for Esteban.”
- Austin Swaim – Esteban Ribovics
“We’ve yet to see Esteban beat at distance through improving competition. Nasrat will be in this fight, but it’s hard to not expect the more active Argentinian to get the nod. I’ve also modeled a decent bit of KO upside for him, too.”
- Corrie – Esteban Ribovics
“I’m leaning towards Esteban Ribovics here. His style’s a little more dynamic and his performance at the Sphere was one of the best of the year in my opinion. I’m excited to see how this one unfolds. If it stays standing, Ribovics could finish him, but if it goes to a decision, it’ll be close. Regardless, this fight deserves a bigger stage than the Apex.”
- The Fight Analyst – Esteban Ribovics
“I thoroughly expect this fight to be Fight of the Night as these two will go out there and lay it all on the line. Normally I wouldn’t lay the juice here in this spot but this is a tailor made matchup for Ribovics to showcase his abilities not having to defend takedowns and just go out there and brawl it out, as he puts it on Haqparast potentially getting the late finish or the nod on all 3 scorecards.”
Marcel Dorff | X
William Gomis vs. Hyder Amil
- HayJive – William Gomis
“I love me some Hyder Amil but Gomis has a great skill set and a disciplined approach to winning fights. I think Gomis takes a decision in a close one.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – William Gomis
“I love Hyder Amil but I think he’s still just getting his feet wet at this level and this is a significant step up, and Gomis is a frustrating style to fight. Gomis just went tooth and nail with Brito. I expect Gomis to stay long on the outside and use his grappling when needed to wear down Amil.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Hyder Amil
“Gomis has squeaked by a few split decisions in two of his last three, particularly against pressure wrestlers that make it uncomfortable. I believe Amil is one of these kind of fighters that can make it quite uncomfortable.”
- Austin Swaim – Hyder Amil
“It’ll be interesting to see how the tortoise meets the hare in this one. Gomis 71% striking D is hard to find openings against, but he does so, so little. I think Amil’s activity carries him in a rather uneventful decision.”
- Corrie – Hyder Amil
“No strong lean here honestly but I’m going Hyder Amil. William Gomis has been kinda inactive the last few years and has gotten a bit boring to watch… That said, Amil has almost three times as many significant strikes as Gomis and is more accurate too so I’m thinking that Amil’s aggressive pace and output should keep Gomis on the back foot, and I think his pressure could make all the difference here.”
- The Fight Analyst – Hyder Amil
“William Gomis is arguably the most underwhelming point fighter in the featherweight division. He has gone the distance in 3 of 4 his wins inside the octagon and hasn’t won unanimously in either of those 3 wins. This gives Hyder Amil the ability to steal some rounds just based on sheer aggression and volume. Also with this being in the small cage of the Apex gives Amil a better opportunity to cut off the cage to land his strikes. As long as Amil doesn’t get lulled to sleep at range, he should be able to press forward, throw caution to the wind, and just do more to get the nod on the judge’s scorecards.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson
- HayJive – Danny Barlow
“Although Barlow’s ground game is pretty untested, I think his striking will be more than enough to negate this fight hitting the ground. I see Barlow getting a KO early in this one.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Danny Barlow
“Sam Patterson is a good prospect with one issue, he gets hit and we’ve seen him sparked unconscious. Not what you want to see fighting a big hitter like Barlow who’s very athletic and explosive. Barlow faced some adversity in his last fight that should only make him better.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Danny Barlow
“Patterson is solid but he can be open to big shots. When healthy, Barlow is absolutely lethal and can be precise. If this stays standing, it will not be remotely close.”
- Austin Swaim – Danny Barlow
“I have very little confidence in either side of this striker vs. grappler battle. Barlow has huge power, and Patterson’s chin has been in zero danger versus poor competition since moving up to 170. I’ll pick LeftHand2God since every round starts on the feet.”
- Corrie – Danny Barlow
“I’m taking Barlow here… He’s got that unreal toughness you just can’t teach. Fighting over two rounds with a broken arm and still scoring a knockout says everything about his mentality, literally citing his childhood neighborhood fights which always sticks with these guys, I’m telling you! He’s powerful, a proven finisher, and has dominated every fight and even though Patterson may be dangerous with submissions, Barlow seems to have more ways to win and should be able to control the fight.”
- The Fight Analyst – Danny Barlow
“Certainly not that confident laying a ton of juice on Danny Barlow in this spot given the stunt he pulled against short-notice replacement Nikolay Veretennikov. However, I give him the benefit of the doubt as he did break his hand in the first round of that matchup. As for this matchup goes against Patterson, he’s going to have a huge advantage on the feet where his straight left should land at will against the tall and lanky Patterson. As long as he can defend the takedowns early ‘LeftHand2God’ should add another scalp to his resume.”
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