UFC Vegas 103 Bonuses: Kape, Pinto, and Haqparast-Ribovics Shine in Las Vegas

The UFC’s latest event, UFC Vegas 103, delivered a night of thrilling action and impressive performances at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. As the dust settled, four fighters walked away with an extra $50,000 in their pockets for their standout efforts. Let’s break down the bonus winners and their performances that caught the attention of UFC brass.

Manel Kape: Performance of the Night

In the main event of the evening, Manel Kape (21-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) secured a Performance of the Night bonus with his third-round TKO victory over Asu Almabayev (21-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC). The flyweight bout was not without controversy, as Kape was accused of two eye scrapes during the fight, with the second seemingly contributing to the finish at 2:16 of the third round.

UFC Fight Night 🚨 Manel Kape with a 3rd round TKO over Asu Almabayev! #UFCfightnight
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— Bastards of Fantasy (@LABastards) March 2, 2025

Despite the contentious nature of the victory, Kape’s overall performance was dominant enough to earn him the bonus. The win marks Kape’s seventh in the UFC and potentially sets him up for a title shot against current flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. Interestingly, this would be a rematch of a previous bout that Kape lost before Pantoja claimed the title.

Mario Pinto: Performance of the Night

Heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made a statement in his UFC debut, earning a Performance of the Night bonus for his spectacular knockout of Austen Lane (13-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC). Pinto, who entered the bout as a heavy favorite, initially struggled with what appeared to be UFC jitters in the first round.

MARIO PINTO FLATTENS AUSTEN LANE!!! #UFCVegas103

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— Lewis Simpson (@LewisSimpsonMMA) March 1, 2025

However, Pinto quickly turned things around in the second round, landing a devastating punch that put Lane’s lights out just 39 seconds into the frame[1]. This emphatic finish not only kept Pinto’s undefeated record intact but also announced his arrival in the UFC’s heavyweight division in style.

Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics: Fight of the Night

The lightweight clash between Nasrat Haqparast (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Esteban Ribovics (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) earned Fight of the Night honors, with both fighters taking home an additional $50,000 for their efforts. The bout, which took place in the middle of the main card, was a back-and-forth slugfest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Fight of the NIGHT 💥 Nasrat Haqparast Vs Esteban Ribovics exchange is NON STOP ‼️😲👊🏽 #UFCVegas103 pic.twitter.com/94VQQOFKvT

— MMA Homie Podcast (@theMMAhomies) March 2, 2025

Haqparast, who entered the fight as an underdog, ultimately emerged victorious via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). This win marks Haqparast’s fifth consecutive victory, with four of those wins coming by way of decision. The closely contested nature of the fight and the relentless action from both competitors made it a clear choice for Fight of the Night.

As UFC Vegas 103 goes into the books, the bonus winners will undoubtedly use this momentum to propel their careers forward. Manel Kape’s controversial yet dominant win puts him in prime position for a title shot, while Mario Pinto’s explosive debut marks him as a heavyweight to watch. The thrilling battle between Nasrat Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics serves as a reminder of the heart and skill that make MMA such a compelling sport.

With another exciting night of fights in the rearview mirror, the UFC continues to deliver high-level mixed martial arts action, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next event and the potential for more bonus-worthy performances.