It's been a busy time for the UFC following the avalanche of fight announcements Dana White delivered a week ago, along with the news this week that Dan Hooker is out of UFC 313. However, hidden behind all the chaotic headlines, an exciting fight card is set to take place at the UFC Apex this Saturday night.
Here’s the lowdown on who’s fighting at UFC Vegas 103 this weekend:
Main Event – Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev
Two ranked flyweights go head-to-head over five rounds in the main event, as No. 6-ranked Manel Kape (20-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) takes on No. 8-ranked Asu Almabayev (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in a fight that could produce the next challenger to champion Alexandre Pantoja’s crown later this year.
Almabayev steps in on short notice to replace the injured Brandon Royval and looks to continue his impressive start to life in the UFC. The Kazakh brings a strong wrestling pedigree and a dangerous kicking game to the 125 lb division, having racked up four straight wins since signing with the UFC.
In his three decision victories in 2024 against CJ Vergara, Jose Johnson, and Matheus Nicolau, "Zulfiqar" showed good patience, excellent submission defense, and strong fight IQ. He will need a finish or two to convince UFC matchmakers of his title credentials and to avoid ending up in "Movsar Evloev territory."
Co-Main Event – Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez
A middleweight battle where both fighters could be fighting to keep their jobs takes place in the co-main event slot on Saturday.
Cody Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) and Julian "The Cuban Missile Crisis" Marquez (9-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC) have both struggled to find victories of late and will feel the pressure to get their hand raised this weekend. Brundage has won only two of his last seven fights, while Marquez has suffered three consecutive knockout losses.
Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics
This is a lock for "Fight of the Night" in most fans' eyes. Haqparast (17-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has won four in a row, while Ribovics (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) had an exceptional 2024. "El Gringo" picked up the fastest headkick KO finish in UFC lightweight history when he knocked out Terrence McKinney in May, before outpointing Daniel Zellhuber in a "Fight of the Year" contender at UFC 306 at the Sphere in September.
William Gomis vs. Hyder Amil
Both featherweights are unbeaten in their UFC careers to date. France’s Gomis (14-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) fought just once in 2024, picking up a questionable decision win over Joanderson Brito at UFC Paris in September. Meanwhile, Bellator veteran Amil (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) knocked out both Fernie Garcia and Jeong Yeong Lee to cap an impressive first year inside the Octagon.
Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson
The main card opener features Tennessee KO artist Danny Barlow (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) against dangerous submission hunter Sam Patterson (12-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who has a track record filled with guillotine and rear-naked choke finishes.
