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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 103 Winners</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/03/whats-next-ufc-vegas-103-winners/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mathis Desjardins]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:34:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cody Brundage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hyder Amil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manel Kape]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nasrat Haqparast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203852</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The UFC Vegas 103 fight night card held at the Apex turned out better than it looked on paper. We saw undefeated fighters get upset and some keep their ‘0’. We also had some wild back-and-forth affairs in the co-main event and the feature bout. And the night was capped off by a great performance from [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/03/whats-next-ufc-vegas-103-winners/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 103 Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The UFC Vegas 103 fight night card held at the Apex turned out better than it looked on paper. We saw undefeated fighters get upset and some keep their ‘0’. We also had some wild back-and-forth affairs in the co-main event and the feature bout. And the night was capped off by a great performance from flyweight contender Manel Kape. With UFC Vegas 103 in the books, it’s now time to do some matchmaking.</p>
<h2>Manel Kape</h2>
<p>After some bad luck getting to the octagon early in his UFC stint, Kape has now successfully KO’d his last two opponents in the span of three months. This was his first main event, and he made the most of that opportunity. Despite some controversy regarding eye rakes and a potentially early stoppage at UFC Vegas 103, Kape was in the driver seat for the entirety of the contest. His last two performances have helped fans forget the weirdness from his meeting with <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/11/21/muhammad-mokaev-returns-to-action-at-brave-fc-91/" data-wpel-link="internal">Muhammad Mokaev</a> last July.</p>
<p>With Alexandre Pantoja having beaten most of the flyweight contenders (some of them multiple times), Kape has probably earned himself a rematch with the flyweight king. Though not official, it is expected that Pantoja will defend his belt against Kai Kara-France in June. That is three months from now, which sets up a reasonable timeline for Kape to challenge for the title in the back half of the year.</p>
<p><em>Kape’s next fight: Flyweight title shot</em></p>
<h2>Cody Brundage</h2>
<p>Some were perplexed by the card’s bout order, specifically with this co-main event. However, what was never in question was the action this matchup was going to deliver. Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez clashing against one another was always going to make for a fun scrap for however long it was going to last.</p>
<p>After revealing that this was the last fight on his contract, Brundage may have just saved his job with this first-round TKO victory.  The simplest way to matchmake for him is to book him against fighters the UFC wants to test. He was initially supposed to face Ryan Loder on Saturday. Let’s just re-book that fight and see if last season’s <em>TUF</em> winner can pass this test.</p>
<p><em>Brundage’s next fight: Ryan Loder</em></p>
<h2>Nasrat Haqparast</h2>
<p>Haqparast met Esteban Ribovics in a fight between two streaking lightweights at UFC Vegas 103 with perhaps a chance at the rankings on the line. It was another split decision victory for the Moroccan who saw his win streak grow to five.</p>
<p>He called for a fight with <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/01/20/paddy-pimblett-goes-after-renato-moicano-for-quick-tap/" data-wpel-link="internal">Renato Moicano</a> next, and while that would be a fine option, I’m doubtful he will actually get it. My hunch would be that the UFC offers someone a little lower. The loser of the upcoming Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes fight could work, but I instead went with Grant Dawson. Dawson has fought his way back to the rankings after his loss to King Green with three straight victories. He can now defend his spot against Haqparast.</p>
<p><em>Haqparast’s next fight: Grant Dawson</em></p>
<h2>Hyder Amil</h2>
<p>In a year where undefeated have had a lopsided losing record, Hyder Amil got to keep his perfect record intact in a hard-fought split decision win over William Gomis. Amil handed the Frenchman his first UFC loss, rallying back after losing the opening round.</p>
<p>Not unlike Chepe Mariscal, another featherweight who fought on this card, I doubt Amil will be offered ranked opposition next as there are other fighters probably ahead of them in the picking order. Fighters like Doo Ho Choi and Steve Garcia can probably expect a ranked opponent before them. So why not book Amil and Mariscal against each other to see who gets the next crack at the top15?</p>
<p><em>Amil’s next fight: Chepe Mariscal</em></p>
<h2>Sam Patterson</h2>
<p>Patterson recorded his third consecutive first-round finish, this one via knockout, as he snatched Danny Barlow’s ‘0’ in violent fashion to open the UFC Vegas 103 main card. The Englishman is now a perfect 3-0 since making moving up to welterweight. Racking up finishes, especially quick ones, will always give you an edge with the matchmakers, so maybe Patterson gets a more high-profile matchup than I’m anticipating. With known veterans Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez will meet in Des Moines on May 3, maybe Patterson draws the winner?</p>
<p>Instead, I believe the UFC will have him face one more fighter in his current tier before matching him up with a Ponzinibbio or a D-Rod. After all, he is only 28 years of age, so there’s no rush. Another fighter who is also perfect since making the switch to welterweight is Chidi Njokuani. He’s set to face off with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos just two weeks from now. If Patterson can beat the winner of that fight, then he’ll be looking at an increase in the level of competition.</p>
<p><em>Patterson’s next fight: Njokuani/dos Santos winner</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/03/whats-next-ufc-vegas-103-winners/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 103 Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 103 Losers</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/03/whats-next-ufc-vegas-103-losers/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryson Hester]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:27:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asu Almabayev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Barlow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esteban Ribovics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julian Marquez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Gomis]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203843</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Saturday&#8217;s UFC Vegas 103 card featured just ten fights, taking place at the UFC&#8217;s APEX facility in Las Vegas. In the main event, #6 ranked UFC flyweight, Manel Kape, stopped Asu Almabayev in the third round, albeit not without an eye poking controversy. In the co-main, Cody Brundage stopped Julian Marquez at the end of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/03/whats-next-ufc-vegas-103-losers/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 103 Losers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Saturday&#8217;s UFC Vegas 103 card featured just ten fights, taking place at the UFC&#8217;s APEX facility in Las Vegas. In the main event, #6 ranked UFC flyweight, Manel Kape, stopped Asu Almabayev in the third round, albeit not without an eye poking controversy.</p>
<p>In the co-main, Cody Brundage stopped Julian Marquez at the end of a barnburner round in an absolutely pivotal victory. This card practically fell apart as there were six cancelled bouts in the lead up to fight night. The main card of UFC Vegas 103 had two split decisions including the fight of the night. And the other three fights ended with finishes. Quite a few prospects on this edition of losers taking their first losses with the promotion and with one fighter potentially facing the axe.</p>
<h2>Asu Almabayev</h2>
<p>Asu Almabayev suffered multiple eye pokes in the sequence that led up to his third round TKO loss to<a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-eye-poke-undetected-by-ref-manel-kape-gets-stoppage-over-asu-almabayev/" data-wpel-link="internal"> Manel Kape</a> in the main event on Saturday. The loss was Asu&#8217;s first with the UFC since being signed in August of 2023. Almabayev is now 4-1 with the UFC. The loss was actually Asu&#8217;s first since 2017, snapping an impressive 17-fight win streak.</p>
<p>Almabayev entered the fight ranked as the #8 ranked UFC flyweight while his opponent, Kape, came in ranked at #6. Kape was Asu&#8217;s third opponent for UFC Vegas 103 after he was forced to reschedule twice from Steve Erceg and then Allan Nascimento (Brandon Royval&#8217;s injury and withdrawal from the main event with Kape is what triggered the latter rescheduling).</p>
<p>With all of these factors in mind, Asu should fight Alex Perez next. In a perfect world, Asu would fight Perez as both fighters last victory came in 2024 against Matheus Nicolau. Perez suffered a gruesome knee injury in his last time out, last June, opposite of Tatsuro Taira. The #7 ranked UFC flyweight has been out of commission since then, but this matchup would be a worthwhile comeback. Asu didn&#8217;t have an answer for speed and footwork of Kape. It&#8217;d be interesting to see him against a different style in 32-year-old Alex Perez, fresh off of his injury.</p>
<p><em>Almabayev&#8217;s next fight: Alex Perez </em></p>
<h2>Julian Marquez</h2>
<p>Julian Marquez suffered a devastating stoppage defeat at the hands of fellow Contender Series alum, <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-cody-brundage-weathers-storm-stops-julian-marquez-in-brawl/" data-wpel-link="internal">Cody Brundage</a>. Julian&#8217;s losing streak has now stretched to four fights, with the &#8220;Cuban Missile Crisis&#8221; only making it out of the first round in one of those defeats. After starting off 3-1 with the promotion with all of his wins earing performance bonuses, this is an extremely disappointing outcome for Marquez.</p>
<p>Despite being featured in the co-main event Marquez was very likely fighting for his spot on the roster. Fans should not be surprised if Julian doesn&#8217;t remain with the promotion after next week. Marquez is an exciting fighter that made real waves at one point. Not just for his destructive fight style but actually building himself a bit of a name within the UFC. The injuries and canceled fights have somewhat derailed his career with the promotion. Going on a 4-fight losing streak signifies within the UFC signifies that the promotion was willing to keep you around for one reason or another.</p>
<p>If Julian gets another fight, which is doubtful, fans could expect a fighter like the winner of Torrez Finney vs Robert Valentin. Torrez is a three-time Contender Series competitor that had to practically move mountains to earn himself a contract with the promotion due to his size. Robert Valentin is The Ultimate Fighter Season 32 runner up, losing the tournament championship last year to Ryan Loder when he was finished in the second round. These are two fringe UFC fighters trying to prove themselves, whoever comes out of the bout on April 5th should get Marquez, potentially even the loser depending on how the bout goes.</p>
<p><em>Marquez&#8217;s next fight: Torrez Finney vs Robert Valentin </em></p>
<h2>Esteban Ribovics</h2>
<p>Esteban Ribovics lost a close split decision to<a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-underdog-nasrat-haqparast-secures-split-decision-win-over-esteban-ribovics/" data-wpel-link="internal"> Nasrat Haqparast</a> in a bout that ended up winning fight of the night honors. Ribovics, a 2022 Contender Series alum, had won three fights in a row since dropping his debut in 2023. Esteban had a monster 2024, KOing Terrance McKinney with a head kick in 37 second. And of course, his split decision win over Daniel Zellhuber that was the 2024 fight of the year.</p>
<p>Despite the loss, Esteban is on a roll in terms of putting on bangers. Ribovics was a favorite coming into this one. And the loss, although it hurts his trajectory, doesn&#8217;t hurt his stock too much- thanks to how entertaining the fight was. Matchmakers should keep the good times coming with Esteban by having him take on the winner Drew Dober vs Manel Torres. That fight goes down on March 29 and is guaranteed to be fireworks. Dober has lost three of his last four bouts, but has secured two post-fight bonuses in that span. Drew is never in a boring fight and his last outing was a good one against Jean Silva even though he was stopped.</p>
<p>Manuel Torres is at a much different place in his UFC career than Dober. Torres started off red hot, with three finishes and three performance bonuses. Manuel dropped his first bout with the promotion in his last time out, when he was finished by Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 306.</p>
<p><em>Ribovics&#8217;s next fight: Drew Dober vs. Manuel Torres Winner</em></p>
<h2>William Gomis</h2>
<p>William Gomis suffered a competitive split decision defeat against an undefeated <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-hyder-amil-gets-nod-in-close-fight-with-william-gomis/" data-wpel-link="internal">Hyder Amil</a> at UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. The loss halted William&#8217;s four-fight win streak with the <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> and was his first loss since 2016- some 12 fights. Gomis had been on fire scoring a split decision victory over Joanderson Brito in his previous fight, last September.</p>
<p>Gomis has been in three split decisions out of his five UFC bouts. William is a solid, knowledgeable fighter that puts on competitive chess matches. For William&#8217;s next fight a matchup between the loser of Nathaniel Wood vs Morgan Carriere would be perfect.</p>
<p>Nathaniel Wood has won four of his last five bouts and at 8-3 with the UFC is starting rise to the top of the division. Morgan Charriere is an experienced and exciting fighter that has also won four of his last five fights. Morgan also gave Gomis his loss back in 2016, so it&#8217;d be pretty cool to run that back in a whole different promotion. Charriere vs. Wood goes down on March 22 so the timing wouldn&#8217;t be half bad depending on how the fight goes.</p>
<p><em>Gomis&#8217;s next fight: Morgan Charriere vs. Nathaniel Wood Loser</em></p>
<h2>Danny Barlow</h2>
<p>Danny Barlow lost for the first time in his pro MMA career when he was KO&#8217;d by <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-sam-patterson-takes-danny-barlows-0-with-brutal-ko/" data-wpel-link="internal">Sam Patterson</a> on Saturday. Barlow, a 2023 Contender Series alum, had won two in a row, stopping Josh Quinlan and snagging a split decision victory against Nikolay Veretennikov last August.</p>
<p>Considering this outcome, it now makes the most sense for Barlow to revisit a previously booked fight at this point. Danny should fight Uros Medic who he was scheduled to fight last August. The bout was canceled as Medic suffered a rib injury (Barlow fought Nikolay instead). This bout makes sense as Medic also suffered a first round KO loss back in January against Punahele Soriano. Medic also got his start on CS and is 4-3 with the UFC. Uros halost two of his last three fights.</p>
<p><em>Danny&#8217;s next fight: Uros Medic </em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/03/whats-next-ufc-vegas-103-losers/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 103 Losers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>British Heavyweight Pinto, Headliner Kape Earn Bonuses at UFC Vegas 103</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/british-heavyweight-pinto-headliner-kape-earn-bonuses-at-ufc-vegas-103/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 03:09:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esteban Ribovics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manel Kape]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mario Pinto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nasrat Haqparast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203840</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>UFC Vegas 103 struggled to hold things together coming into Saturday, with not one but two fights cancelled on weigh-in day. What was left was a 10-fight card where, outside of main event flyweights Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev, perhaps the biggest name was former LFC champ Andrea &#8220;KGB&#8221; Lee. Given she entered the night [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/british-heavyweight-pinto-headliner-kape-earn-bonuses-at-ufc-vegas-103/" data-wpel-link="internal">British Heavyweight Pinto, Headliner Kape Earn Bonuses at UFC Vegas 103</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>UFC Vegas 103 struggled to hold things together coming into Saturday, with not one but two fights cancelled on weigh-in day.</p>
<p>What was left was a 10-fight card where, outside of main event flyweights Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev, perhaps the biggest name was former LFC champ <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2020/08/05/ufc-kgb-lee-modafferi-rematch/" data-wpel-link="internal">Andrea &#8220;KGB&#8221; Lee</a>. Given she entered the night on a five-fight skid and dropped a decision to JJ Aldrich, Lee&#8217;s likely on her way out of the promotion. What it boils down to, however, is that the UFC lacks star power for some of their Fight Night events, especially noticeable on a night where another TKO Group company, <a href="http://wwe.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">WWE</a>, was running a Pay-Per-View event in Toronto.</p>
<p>Regardless, the show must go on, and it did, sluggish out of the gate until debuting heavyweight Mario Pinto, a Brit who appeared on <em>Dana White&#8217;s Contender Series</em> last year, got into it with Austen Lane. While Lane had him hurt in the opening round, Pinto roared back in the second, landing a downright punishing right hand that left Lane sprawled out on the canvas, trying to figure out how the truck that had run him over made its way into the octagon.</p>
<p>Luckily, Lane was okay. Pinto, meanwhile, earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. As did Manel Kape, who secured a TKO win over Asu Almabayev in the UFC Vegas 103 main event. Although marred by some uncalled eye pokes, there&#8217;s little question Kape was well ahead in the fight.</p>
<p>Fight of the Night at UFC Vegas 103 went to Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics. Haqparast came away with a split decision win in that one.</p>
<p>All four bonus-winners pocked $50,000 U.S. on top of show/win money, outfitting pay, and any other earnings.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/british-heavyweight-pinto-headliner-kape-earn-bonuses-at-ufc-vegas-103/" data-wpel-link="internal">British Heavyweight Pinto, Headliner Kape Earn Bonuses at UFC Vegas 103</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>&#8220;Eye Pokes Are the Greatest Threat to the Growth of This Sport&#8221; — Fighters React to UFC Vegas 103 Headliner</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/fighters-react-ufc-vegas-103-headliner/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:57:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asu Almabayev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manel Kape]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203834</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Henry Cejudo, himself the victim of a fight-ending eye poke just a week ago at UFC Seattle, did not mince words in the aftermath of Saturday&#8217;s UFC Vegas 103 main event. &#8220;Eye pokes are the greatest threat to the growth of this sport (unbiased),&#8221; Cejudo, a former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion, wrote on social [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/fighters-react-ufc-vegas-103-headliner/" data-wpel-link="internal">&#8220;Eye Pokes Are the Greatest Threat to the Growth of This Sport&#8221; — Fighters React to UFC Vegas 103 Headliner</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Henry Cejudo, himself <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/23/song-yadong-takes-technical-decision-after-bad-eye-poke/" data-wpel-link="internal">the victim of a fight-ending eye poke</a> just a week ago at UFC Seattle, did not mince words in the aftermath of Saturday&#8217;s UFC Vegas 103 main event.</p>
<p>&#8220;Eye pokes are the greatest threat to the growth of this sport (unbiased),&#8221; Cejudo, a former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion, wrote on social media following the event.</p>
<p>Saturday&#8217;s headliner between Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev started out fast and furious, and never truly slowed down. Yet it was marred by uncalled fouls, as in both the second and third rounds, Almabayev appeared to have his eye grazed by Kape&#8217;s fingers.</p>
<p>In round two, the action was halted after Asu Almabayev complained, with Kape voluntarily backing off. Referee Mike Beltran turned to the review official for assistance, who ruled no foul had transpired. The action started back up almost as soon as it had stopped, mere seconds later. Yet the UFC&#8217;s own replay showed that Kape&#8217;s &#8220;punch&#8221; had been open handed, and it did appear that Kape&#8217;s fingers had grazed Almabayev&#8217;s eye.</p>
<p>The eye poke in round three, which led to the finish, was far more obvious, except to the ref, who did not catch it. Another open-handed graze had Almabayev wincing and motioning for a time out. When it wasn&#8217;t forthcoming, he turned tail and fled. Turning your back on an opponent is an easy way to bring about an end to a fight, and with Kape chasing him down and throwing, Beltran quickly stepped in to wave the affair off.</p>
<p>Regardless of the fouls, Kape was well ahead in the fight, and looked dominant. Here&#8217;s how some of &#8220;Starboy&#8217;s&#8221; fellow fighters reacted to<a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer"> UFC</a> Vegas 103&#8217;s flyweight main event:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eye pokes are the greatest threat to the growth of this sport (unbiased) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCVegas103?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#UFCVegas103</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) <a href="https://twitter.com/HenryCejudo/status/1896024951263801742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It was worth the wait for Kape’s daughter! 😂👏🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCVegas103?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#UFCVegas103</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlanJouban/status/1896025760248582434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="qme" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://t.co/pMKisNoBPu" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/pMKisNoBPu</a></p>
<p>&mdash; #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) <a href="https://twitter.com/KelvinGastelum/status/1896025689188680141?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Manel Kape fights for the belt next!! Great performance! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCVegas103?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#UFCVegas103</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/funkmasterMMA/status/1896024598690590798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kape is deserving of a title fight! Looked amazing and in total control tonight</p>
<p>&mdash; Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aiemannzahabi/status/1896024495200354364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There’s only one best flyweight in the world 😉</p>
<p>&mdash; Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) <a href="https://twitter.com/muhammadmokaev/status/1896026621951545658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If they made eye pokes legal they wouldn’t happen anymore</p>
<p>&mdash; Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALIAQUINTA/status/1896035487955238961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">March 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/fighters-react-ufc-vegas-103-headliner/" data-wpel-link="internal">&#8220;Eye Pokes Are the Greatest Threat to the Growth of This Sport&#8221; — Fighters React to UFC Vegas 103 Headliner</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Vegas 103: Eye Poke Undetected by Ref, Manel Kape Gets Stoppage Over Asu Almabayev</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-eye-poke-undetected-by-ref-manel-kape-gets-stoppage-over-asu-almabayev/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:31:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asu Almabayev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manel Kape]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203792</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Asu Almabayev stepped into his first UFC main event on short notice on Saturday, ranked #8 in the flyweight division and paired up with former RIZIN bantamweight champ Manel Kape. Kape started the night at #5 in the 125lb division, and was on the short-list for potential challengers to champion Alexander Pantoja. Early on, after [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-eye-poke-undetected-by-ref-manel-kape-gets-stoppage-over-asu-almabayev/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Eye Poke Undetected by Ref, Manel Kape Gets Stoppage Over Asu Almabayev</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Asu Almabayev stepped into his first <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> main event on short notice on Saturday, ranked #8 in the flyweight division and paired up with former RIZIN bantamweight champ Manel Kape.</p>
<p>Kape started the night at #5 in the 125lb division, and was on the short-list for potential challengers to champion <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/01/20/ufc-flyweight-champ-alexandre-pantoja-ready-for-everything/" data-wpel-link="internal">Alexander Pantoja</a>.</p>
<p>Early on, after a bit of feeling out, Manel Kape caught a kick, then let his hands go, though he couldn&#8217;t quite dump Almabayev, who pulled free. Almabayev relied on kicks and overhands, working from the outside during the opening couple of minutes. Kape meanwhile found a home for his left hand, and forced him to retreat more than once. Almabayev tried a spinning kick, but Kape stepped forward at the same time and the blow was off-target. Kape fired a knee, and Almabayev answered with a left hand. Kape was having great success with his right hand as the round progressed, as evidenced by the damage to Almabayev&#8217;s left eye.</p>
<p>Late in the round, Asu Almabayev ducked down for a takedown, only to see it stuffed. After another Kape attack, Almabayev looked for a bodylock, but lost it. Good round for Manel Kape, and a rough start for Almabayev.</p>
<p>Almabayev fired low kicks and spinning attacks early in the second round, but Kape was never standing still, and simply too hard to hit. Kape ducked under punches, side-stepped them, and seemed to grow more confident by the minute. When Almabayev did land, he tried to follow up with a jump knee, only for Kape to catch it. Almabayev&#8217;s most consistent success came with his kicks, but once again, as the round wore on, it was Manel Kape attacking, and Almabayev retreating. Knees and right hands were landing for Kape; Almabayev connected to the body. In the final 30 seconds, the fight was briefly paused for a would-be eye poke, but the review judge cageside ruled it a legal strike, and action was back underway within seconds.</p>
<p>After likely the winning the first two rounds, Manel Kape did not take his foot of the cage in the third. He put the pressure on and Almabayev shot for a takedown, only to eat several elbows. When they got back up, Kape worked Almabayev over along the fence as Asu covered up. Almabayev seemed to have issues with his eye, potentially from a graze that went unnoticed. Almabayev was motioning for a time out, but didn&#8217;t get it. Almabayev then literally ran across the round, turning his back on the fight while Kape pursued him. That was enough for ref Mike Beltran, who didn&#8217;t like what he was seeing and waved off the fight.</p>
<p>How much the eye poke in the third factored in is a question, but it was Almabayev&#8217;s job to fight on, and he didn&#8217;t. Kape, meanwhile, called out &#8220;who&#8217;s next against me? They&#8217;re going to deny again my title shot?&#8221; following the win.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Manel Kape def. Asu Almabayev by TKO, Round 3, 2:16</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-eye-poke-undetected-by-ref-manel-kape-gets-stoppage-over-asu-almabayev/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Eye Poke Undetected by Ref, Manel Kape Gets Stoppage Over Asu Almabayev</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Vegas 103: Cody Brundage Weathers Storm, Stops Julian Marquez in Brawl</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-cody-brundage-weathers-storm-stops-julian-marquez-in-brawl/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 01:53:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cody Brundage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julian Marquez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203789</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez met in the middleweight co-main event at UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday, with Marquez stepping in to replace Ryan Loder in the fight. Brundage and Marquez were former teammates, but it was Marquez with his back to the wall on an 0-3 skid. Almost immediately in Saturday&#8217;s UFC Vegas 103 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-cody-brundage-weathers-storm-stops-julian-marquez-in-brawl/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Cody Brundage Weathers Storm, Stops Julian Marquez in Brawl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cody Brundage and Julian Marquez met in the middleweight co-main event at UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday, with Marquez stepping in to replace <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/25/ufc-vegas-96-ryan-loder-captures-tuf-32-middleweight-crown-tkos-robert-valentin/" data-wpel-link="internal">Ryan Loder</a> in the fight.</p>
<p>Brundage and Marquez were former teammates, but it was Marquez with his back to the wall on an 0-3 skid.</p>
<p>Almost immediately in Saturday&#8217;s <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> Vegas 103 co-headliner, Cody Brundage had &#8220;Cuban Missile Crisis&#8221; Marquez in crisis mode, hurting him early. Marquez was wobbled, and Brundage worked his right hand; Marquez soon regained his composure, but seemed hesitant to pull the trigger. Off a bit of a collision in the middle of the cage, Marquez went down— not a knockdown, but he had to fend off a choke. Back on the feet, Marquez landed a left hand as the middleweights continued to trade fire, both men loading up on shots.</p>
<p>Chaos erupted later in the round. Marquez clobbered Brundage, knocking his mouthpiece out. Brundage slumped to the ground and looked to be out of it, but the fight was allowed to continue and Marquez went after a choke. A critical mistake, as Brundage was able to recover just a bit. Marquez went back to throwing punches, but Brundage battled back and rocked Julian, knocking his mouthpiece out as well! Somehow the ref managed to return both mouthpieces to their rightful owner, and Brundage knocked Marquez down not long after! Brundage, from the back, rained down more punches while Marquez covered up. Marquez was moving, but not enough for the ref, who finally waved things off!</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Cody Brundage def. Julian Marquez by TKO, Round 1, 4:45</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-cody-brundage-weathers-storm-stops-julian-marquez-in-brawl/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Cody Brundage Weathers Storm, Stops Julian Marquez in Brawl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Vegas 103: Underdog Nasrat Haqparast Secures Split Decision Win Over Esteban Ribovics</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-underdog-nasrat-haqparast-secures-split-decision-win-over-esteban-ribovics/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mathis Desjardins]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 01:45:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esteban Ribovics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nasrat Haqparast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203786</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Red-hot lightweight Esteban Ribovics returned to action at UFC Vegas 103, looking to build off his &#8216;Fight of the Night&#8217; showing at Noche UFC in a fight with Nasrat Haqparast. Haqparast, for his part, was on quite the run with four straight victories inside the UFC octagon. He was a slight underdog with many odds-makers, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-underdog-nasrat-haqparast-secures-split-decision-win-over-esteban-ribovics/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Underdog Nasrat Haqparast Secures Split Decision Win Over Esteban Ribovics</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Red-hot lightweight Esteban Ribovics returned to action at UFC Vegas 103, looking to build off his &#8216;Fight of the Night&#8217; showing at Noche UFC in a fight with Nasrat Haqparast.</p>
<p>Haqparast, for his part, was on quite the run with four straight victories inside the <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> octagon. He was a slight underdog with many odds-makers, but didn&#8217;t show it in the fight.</p>
<p>Ribovics took advantage of the open stance matchup, throwing a couple heavy kicks in the opening minute. Haqparast tripled his jab and landed a clean left straight that drew a smile from the Argentinian. Haqparast, who was mostly boxing, landed another nice left that bust Ribovics&#8217; lip. The Argentinian kept throwing a couple shots thinking it would force Haqparast to keep his guard up, but the Moroccan punished those sequences with left hands over the top. Ribovics showed his durability as Nasrat&#8217;s left hand couldn&#8217;t seem to miss. Good first round from the underdog.</p>
<p>Not unlike the opening round, the second round&#8217;s first minute from saw high levels of activity from both fighters. As Ribovics was expecting a left hand, Haqparast snuck a right hook around his guard. Nasrat was doing a good job catching a lot of Ribovics&#8217; shots to the head. As Ribovics kept head hunting, Dominick Cruz on the commentary team kept mentioning that he could use to go to the body. The Argentinian may have hoped that his Holloway-esque activity level would force Haqparast to slow down, but the Moroccan kept up with Ribovics&#8217; output and was winning most of the exchanges. A close, competitive round that I thought Haqparast edged out in real time.</p>
<p>Both fighters came out firing on all cylinders, perhaps not trusting the judging. Haqparast started to intercept Ribovics&#8217; constant forward-moving pressure with elbows. A short left hook from &#8216;El Gringo&#8217; tagged Haqparast, which was then followed up with a knee that the Moroccan somehow ate, though he was wearing the damage. As Ribovics was starting to find momentum, Nasrat shot a takedown that allowed him to recover and burn some precious time off the clock. Once he got up, Ribovics went right back on the offense, but Nasrat was standing his ground and throwing with him. Ribovics was now able to stuff the laboured takedown attempts from Haqparast. He ended the round with a head kick that wobbled the Moroccan as time went out. A clear round for the fighter out of Argentina.</p>
<p>With two fights remaining on the card, this was now the clear favourite for &#8216;Fight of the Night&#8217;. The two fighters embraced once the decision was read, clearly having left a part of themselves in that cage. Now on a 5-fight winning streak, Haqparast can probably expect his first shot at the rankings since facing Dan Hooker in September of 2021. Knowing this, he called out Renato Moicano.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Nasrat Haqparast def. Esteban Ribovics by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-underdog-nasrat-haqparast-secures-split-decision-win-over-esteban-ribovics/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Underdog Nasrat Haqparast Secures Split Decision Win Over Esteban Ribovics</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Vegas 103: Hyder Amil Gets Nod In Close Fight With William Gomis</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-hyder-amil-gets-nod-in-close-fight-with-william-gomis/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brett Cagle]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 01:08:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hyder Amil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Gomis]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203783</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>French featherweight William Gomis looked to improve to 5-0 inside the octagon when he faced off against Hyder Amil at UFC Vegas 103. Amil entered the night a perfect 9-0 in a career that had seen stops in LFA (2-0), Bellator MMA (3-0), the Contender Series (1-0), and then the UFC (2-0). Gomis had not [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-hyder-amil-gets-nod-in-close-fight-with-william-gomis/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Hyder Amil Gets Nod In Close Fight With William Gomis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>French featherweight William Gomis looked to improve to 5-0 inside the octagon when he faced off against Hyder Amil at UFC Vegas 103.</p>
<p>Amil entered the night a perfect 9-0 in a career that had seen stops in <a href="http://lfa.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">LFA</a> (2-0), <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/01/13/bellator-is-dead-pfl-makes-changes-to-their-format/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bellator MMA</a> (3-0), the Contender Series (1-0), and then the UFC (2-0). Gomis had not lost since 2016 and came into this contest on a 13 fight win streak.</p>
<p>From the opening bell Amil came out extremely aggressive putting pressure on Gomis early. Gomis reversed position against the fence and landed a good knee to the body in the clinch. Gomis wanted to strike from the outside, but Amil was closing the distance well and forcing the fight into the clinch. Gomis length and size served him well against the cage where he held Amil for almost a minute. Gomis kicks to the legs and body at distance were lighting fast and efficient. Gomies landed a nice elbow and knee in the clinch that busted open Amil and started a cut. Amil elected to bite down on his mouthpiece and both fighters exchanged punches on the inside. An action packed opening five minutes saw Gomis slightly out land Amil, who had good moments as well.</p>
<p>Amil pressed forward again in the second looking to land big hooks on the inside. Amil landed a beautiful three punch combination against the fence that forced Gomis to retreat. Gomis answered with a spinning kick to the body, but Amil ate it and marched forward. Gomis had no pressure to land his devastating strikes at distance, as Amil made the talented striker fight off his back foot. Both fighters threw caution to the win in the final minute of round two exchanging shots against the fence. After ten minutes the fight seemed to be tied at one a piece.</p>
<p>In the final round Gomis again fought with his back against the cage and struggled to use his length against Amil. Gomis landed a strong left straight, while Amil worked punches to the body. The pace that Amil was able to go at was very impressive, tiring out Gomis who was known for having a solid gas tank. Amil then landed a takedown in the third and worked to the back of Gomis. Amil started to land ground and pound to Gomis as he tried to scramble to his feet. Amil showed no respect for the power of Gomis continuing to walk straight toward his opponent. Gomis began to throw labored punches that looked to have no sting left on them. After three hard fought round the fight went to the scorecards for the judges decision. A highly entertaining contest that saw each fighter land over 100 significant strikes.</p>
<p>When the judges scored the fight they were split. One judge saw the fight for Gomis while the other two saw the contest for Amil. Staying undefeated and cashing as a betting underdog, Hyder Amil picked up the biggest win of his career. Following the victory, Amil talked about some of the struggles he has been going through including losing a close friend, and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDp_7fXS1xg/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer"> his dog</a>. Amil stated he deserves someone in the top 10-15 rankings next. The 11-0 rising prospect is trained by former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez and has massive opportunities to come.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Hyder Amil def. William Gomis by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-hyder-amil-gets-nod-in-close-fight-with-william-gomis/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Hyder Amil Gets Nod In Close Fight With William Gomis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Vegas 103: Sam Patterson Takes Danny Barlow&#8217;s &#8216;0&#8217; with Brutal KO</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-sam-patterson-takes-danny-barlows-0-with-brutal-ko/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mathis Desjardins]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:32:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Danny Barlow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sam Patterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203780</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Welterweights Danny Barlow and Sam Patterson kicked off the UFC Vegas 103 main card on Saturday, with Barlow entering the bout with a perfect 9-0 professional record. While Barlow had won his first two bouts under the UFC banner, Patterson was coming off back-to-back submissions wins, his latest one over Kiefer Crosbie. Due to the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-sam-patterson-takes-danny-barlows-0-with-brutal-ko/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Sam Patterson Takes Danny Barlow&#8217;s &#8216;0&#8217; with Brutal KO</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Welterweights Danny Barlow and Sam Patterson kicked off the UFC Vegas 103 main card on Saturday, with Barlow entering the bout with a perfect 9-0 professional record.</p>
<p>While Barlow had won his first two bouts under the <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> banner, Patterson was coming off back-to-back submissions wins, his latest one over <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2023/09/09/ufc-293-kevin-jousset-vs-kiefer-crosbie/" data-wpel-link="internal">Kiefer Crosbie</a>.</p>
<p>Due to the open stance matchup, both fighters were clearly mindful of each other&#8217;s power hand. The first minute was mostly spent with Barlow stalking and Patterson feinting. Barlow landed the first left hand he threw and followed it up with some big low kicks that forced resets from the Englishman. Patterson went to the body with some right hands, but ate a left from Barlow on the exit. With Barlow keeping his left hand low, he got caught by a big counter right hook from Patterson that sent American stumbling back. Patterson followed it up with a right straight that dropped the retreating Barlow. Some ground-and-pound shots for good measure left referee Mike Beltran no choice but to put a stop to the contest.</p>
<p>The betting underdog made a statement and took Barlow&#8217;s &#8216;0&#8217; in the process. Though he didn&#8217;t have a name to call out, Patterson will look to keep moving up the ladder as he&#8217;s 3-0 since making the move up to welterweight. All three of those victories have come by first-round finish.</p>
<p>&#8220;He caught me with some good shots, I just caught him with better ones at the end,&#8221; stated Patterson following the bout, revealing he&#8217;d just fought out his contract and was hoping to sign a new deal. &#8220;I want to cement myself in the UFC. I want to have a career here.&#8221;</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Sam Patterson def. Danny Barlow by knockout (punches), Round 1, 3:10</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/ufc-vegas-103-sam-patterson-takes-danny-barlows-0-with-brutal-ko/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 103: Sam Patterson Takes Danny Barlow&#8217;s &#8216;0&#8217; with Brutal KO</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>Mario Pinto Crushes Austen Lane With Brutal Right Hand to Close UFC Vegas 103 Prelims</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/mario-pinto-crushes-austen-lane-with-brutal-right-hand-to-close-ufc-vegas-103-prelims/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Bitter]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:03:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Austen Lane]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mario Pinto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 253]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=203777</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Heavyweight Mario Pinto made his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 103, taking on former NFL defensive end Austen Lane. Contender Series alum Pinto was a perfect 9-0 to start the night, while Lane, who had hit fight fans&#8217; radar as an early-career opponent of Greg Hardy, was 1-2 (1NC) inside the octagon and coming off [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/mario-pinto-crushes-austen-lane-with-brutal-right-hand-to-close-ufc-vegas-103-prelims/" data-wpel-link="internal">Mario Pinto Crushes Austen Lane With Brutal Right Hand to Close UFC Vegas 103 Prelims</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Heavyweight Mario Pinto made his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 103, taking on former <a href="http://nfl.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">NFL</a> defensive end Austen Lane.</p>
<p>Contender Series alum Pinto was a perfect 9-0 to start the night, while Lane, who had hit fight fans&#8217; radar as an early-career opponent of Greg Hardy, was 1-2 (1NC) inside the octagon and coming off a win over <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/03/09/robelis-despaigne-makes-quick-work-of-parisian-with-18-second-ko/" data-wpel-link="internal">Robelis Despaigne</a>.</p>
<p data-start="0" data-end="278">Round one kicked off with both fighters using hard feints, each looking to set up something big. They traded leg kicks early, with Lane landing a right hand that backed up Pinto. Both men continued exchanging thudding leg kicks, and Pinto timed a sharp right hand off a Lane kick.</p>
<p data-start="280" data-end="651" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Lane made the first significant move, shooting for a takedown, but Pinto shrugged it off. Lane remained active, working behind his jab, but Pinto responded with a right hand that briefly wobbled him. Impressively, Lane recovered quickly and returned fire, dropping Pinto with a straight right. Pinto, however, bounced back just as fast, and the fight made it to the bell.</p>
<p data-start="280" data-end="651" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In round two, Pinto wasted no time coming forward throwing for the fences. Lane responded back with a flurry of his own forcing Pinto&#8217;s back against the cage. When they settled back in Pinto landed a left-right flatlining Lane out cold in brutal fashion. A highlight reel knockout in the British heavyweight&#8217;s promotional debut, and a strong candidate for a post-fight bonus.</p>
<p data-start="280" data-end="651" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><strong><em>Official Result: Mario Pinto def. Austen Lane by knockout (left-right), Round 2, 0:39</em></strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/01/mario-pinto-crushes-austen-lane-with-brutal-right-hand-to-close-ufc-vegas-103-prelims/" data-wpel-link="internal">Mario Pinto Crushes Austen Lane With Brutal Right Hand to Close UFC Vegas 103 Prelims</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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