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Exclusive: Manel Kape Seeks Gold With UFC Vegas 103 Win Over Asu Almabayev

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Fernando Quiles Jr. | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 8:15 PM ET

Manel Kape (20-7) has a UFC flyweight title opportunity on his mind if he gets past fellow contender Asu Almabayev (21-2).

Kape and Almabayev, who's riding a 17-fight win streak, will collide in the main event of UFC Vegas 103 this Saturday night. "Starboy" was planning to face Brandon Royval, who ended up withdrawing from the bout due to a concussion.

In an exclusive interview with Athlon Sports, Kape said opponent changes are nothing new to him.

"All these fighters pull out and I have to face a new face all the time," Kape said.

With his sights set on Almabayev, Kape responded to recent remarks made by the Kazakhstan fighter in which he said he's eyeing a stoppage win this weekend.

"I don't know what finish he's talking about," Kape said. "He only finished one guy in UFC. All the fights were by decision. I truly believe he's not a fighter for five rounds, and when he gets to the third round his conditioning is already compromised. I believe this fight benefits me a lot, and it's going to be on my terms."

Before the fight gets a chance to go to deep waters, Kape isn't worried about any challenges Almabayev might present.

"There is nothing," Kape said. "We're going to be fresh. He's going to be fresh; I'm going to be fresh as well. Honestly, without any underestimating him, I don't have any concerns about his game.

"There is nothing I never faced. I've been doing this for a while, and Saturday night is going to be different. I'm going to put on a show. I want to put in a great performance. If he does any mistake, I'm going to take advantage of all mistakes."

Kape intends to make a statement by the end of UFC Vegas 103, and he feels a victory over Almabayev, who hasn't lost since 2017, will lead to his first UFC title opportunity.

"There will be no more denies, there will be no more conversation after this fight," Kape guaranteed. "I was supposed to fight No. 1 of this ranking. The No. 1 pulled out. So, beat Asu, that I believe is a stronger opponent, is the fight that's going to put me for the title next 100%."

Alexandre Pantoja is the current UFC flyweight champion.

Kape and Pantoja shared the Octagon back in 2021 and it "The Cannibal" pulled out a win via unanimous decision. That bout earned some praise from Kape for the reigning 125-pound titleholder.

"There is something that tells me he improved, of course, but his game is still the same," Kape said. "He's still a little bit reckless, sloppy, but the one thing he has is he's very consistent and persistent in his fights. Good for him, but right now I'm just focused on Asu, and then I'm going to focus on who is going to be the champ."

UFC Vegas 103 will be Kape's first UFC headliner, but "Starboy" is no stranger to headlining big shows for other promotions, and expects to be featured in many more main events in the UFC.

"Something for me is I'm not surprised," Kape said. "I know one day it will come. I'm very patient in life; I'm a very patient person. So, I know it's going to happen, and this Saturday night it's going to happen, and I believe that's the type of spot I should be. I hope, and I'm going to work for more of this."

Kape is envisioning an emphatic victory by the end of Saturday night, but he doesn't expect to walk out of the Octagon early.

"Definitely, I'm getting the stoppage in the fourth or fifth round," Kape said.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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