UFC Vegas 103: Asu Almabayev’s Main Event Debut Ends in Controversy, What’s Next for the Surging Flyweight?

In a highly anticipated flyweight clash at UFC Vegas 103, Asu Almabayev’s impressive 17-fight win streak came to a controversial end as he suffered a third-round TKO loss to Manel Kape in his first UFC main event appearance. The bout, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on March 1, 2025, showcased Kape’s striking prowess and raised questions about the officiating.

From the opening bell, Kape established control of the center of the octagon, applying forward pressure and landing crisp combinations. Almabayev, known for his wrestling, struggled to find his rhythm against Kape’s superior striking. As the first round progressed, Almabayev’s face began to show signs of damage, with swelling and cuts appearing around his left eye.

The second round saw both fighters increase their output, with Almabayev finding some success with his counter strikes. However, Kape’s explosiveness and varied attack, including jumping knees and spinning kicks, kept the Kazakh fighter on the defensive.

The controversy arose in the third round when Almabayev appeared to signal to referee Mike Beltran that he had been poked in the eye. Despite Almabayev’s attempts to call for a timeout, the referee did not intervene, and Kape continued his assault. A replay showed that Kape had indeed scraped Almabayev’s face, but the bout continued without pause.

It’s crazy a day removed how many people don’t care about these eye pokes because Manel Kape is a fun fighter. If Almabayev had won this fight in this exact way everyone would be up in arms and calling for the no contest or DQ pic.twitter.com/YsSUIaKjdL

— Fan (@undercoverNBA) March 2, 2025

Unable to recover from the apparent eye poke, Almabayev found himself cornered against the fence as Kape unleashed a barrage of strikes[1]. In a moment of desperation, Almabayev turned and fled across the octagon, prompting referee Beltran to wave off the fight at 2:16 of the third round.

The loss marks Almabayev’s first defeat in 18 appearances, dating back to 2017. Despite the setback, the 31-year-old Kazakh fighter remains a promising prospect in the flyweight division. As he looks to bounce back from this controversial defeat, here are three potential matchups for Almabayev’s next outing:

Amir Albazi

A potential opponent for Asu Almabayev could be Amir Albazi. The Swedish fighter, known for his grappling prowess and aggressive style, would present a challenging matchup for Almabayev. Albazi’s ability to control fights on the ground could test Almabayev’s wrestling defense, while his striking skills would push Almabayev to improve his stand-up game. This bout would be an excellent opportunity for Almabayev to rebound from his recent loss and demonstrate his well-rounded skills against a formidable opponent. The matchup would also provide valuable insight into where both fighters stand in the competitive flyweight division.

Brandon Royval

A bout against Brandon Royval, who was originally scheduled to face Kape before withdrawing due to injury, could be an excellent opportunity for Almabayev. Royval’s aggressive style and high-level grappling would present a different kind of challenge for Almabayev, allowing him to showcase his wrestling skills more effectively. This matchup would also help determine where both fighters stand in the increasingly competitive flyweight division.

Allan Nascimento

Prior to being called up for the main event, Almabayev was scheduled to face Allan Nascimento. Revisiting this matchup could provide Almabayev with a chance to get back on track against an opponent he had already been preparing for. Nascimento’s well-rounded skill set would test Almabayev’s abilities without throwing him immediately back into the deep end of the division, allowing the Kazakh fighter to rebuild his confidence and potentially start a new winning streak.

As Almabayev reflects on his main event debut and looks to the future, these potential matchups offer diverse challenges and opportunities for redemption. Regardless of his next opponent, the flyweight division will be watching closely to see how the talented Kazakh fighter rebounds from this setback and continues his journey in the UFC.