UFC Fight Night: Kape vs Almabayev preview & main card tips
| UFC Fight Night: Kape vs AlmabayevMain Card Preview & Fight Info | |
|---|---|
| Main Event odds | Kape -200 at Marantelli Bet | Almabayev +165 at Marantelli Bet |
| When | Sunday, March 2 – main card from 11am AEDT |
| Where | UFC Apex – Las Vegas, USA |
| Watch Live | Foxtel, Kayo, UFC Fight Pass |
The main card for UFC Fight Night: Kape vs Almabayev at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas this Sunday features multiple talented newcomers attempting to make their mark. Highlights include a lightweight bout between Nasrat Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics, a featherweight classic between the unbeaten Hyder Amil and William Gomis, and an interesting clash of styles between Danny Barlow and Sam Patterson. Read on for BettingSite’s fight previews and top tips.
Manel Kape vs Asu Almabayev
Manel Kapevs 
Asu Almabayev |
| 20-7-0 | MMA record | 21-2-0 |
| 31 | Age | 31 |
| 5’5” | Height | 5’4” |
| 125lbs | Weight | 125lbs |
| 68” | Reach | 65” |
| Angola | Nationality | Kazakhstan |
Rising featherweight contenders Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev will showcase their championship credentials when they clash in Sunday’s main event. While competitors bring strong winning form into the matchup, Kape is a warm favourite based on several perceived advantages. See our in-depth Kape vs Almabayev betting preview here.
Cody Brundage vs Julian Marquez
Cody Brundagevs 
Julian Marquez |
| +113 at Marantelli Bet | UFC betting odds | -138.89 at Marantelli Bet |
| 10-6-0 | MMA record | -9-5-0 |
| 30 | Age | 34 |
| 6” | Height | 6’2” |
| 185lbs | Weight | 185lbs |
| 72” | Reach | 72” |
| USA | Nationality | USA |
Cody Brundage (10-6-0) has struggled for consistency since 2022, winning only two of seven fights. The 30-year-old is coming off a nasty no-contest result when he was struck with repeated illegal elbows to the back of the head by Abdul Razak Alhassan and the fight was called off within the opening minute. Brundage’s fights are typically chaotic affairs that rarely last the distance, and this bout appears destined for the same outcome.
Julian Marquez (9-6-0) has dropped his last three UFC contests via knockout and desperately needs a win. The 34-year-old competes with a similar approach to Brundage, throwing caution to the wind in search of a dramatic conclusion. Marquez has never faced the judges’ scorecards, and given his recent misfortune on the feet, he may be wise to pursue early takedowns to avoid further damage.
Julian Marquez by submission
Nasrat Haqparast vs Esteban Ribovics
Nasrat Haqparastvs 
Esteban Ribovics |
| +230 at Marantelli Bet | UFC betting odds | -285.71 at Marantelli Bet |
| 17-5-0 | MMA record | 14-1-0 |
| 29 | Age | 28 |
| 5’10” | Height | 5’10” |
| 155bs | Weight | 155bs |
| 72” | Reach | 69” |
| Germany | Nationality | Argentina |
Nasrat Haqparast (17-5-0) is on a four-fight win streak, built largely on improved defensive awareness and higher output across 15 minutes. The German has not lost his knockout power, but he now uses this talent more selectively and without abandoning other elements of his game — as seen in his split-decision win over Jared Gordon last year. Despite this more mature approach, Haqparast is at big odds with leading UFC betting sites.
Esteban Ribovics (14-1-0) has now strung together three impressive wins since his narrow split-decision on UFC debut in 2023. The Argentine throws short snappy punches that can drop anyone when they find the target, uses his flexibility to throw dangerous high kicks, and fights well going forward or while backing away. Based on potential, he is heavily favoured to emerge with another victory.
Esteban Ribovics by decision
Hyder Amil vs William Gomis
Hyder Amilvs 
William Gomis |
| +160 at Marantelli Bet | UFC betting odds | -200 at Marantelli Bet |
| 10-0-0 | MMA record | 14-2-0 |
| 34 | Age | 27 |
| 5’9” | Height | 6” |
| 145lbs | Weight | 145lbs |
| 70” | Reach | 73” |
| Philippines | Nationality | France |
Hyder Amil (10-0-0) earned his UFC contract with a strong showing on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023. The 34-year-old has since produced a pair of knockout victories to prove he belongs in the premier MMA promotion. Amil picks apart his opponents in a slow, methodical fashion and pushes them toward the fence, where he can dominate with head and body punches that gradually accumulate.
William Gomis (14-2-0) enters this contest on a 12-fight win streak, including four at UFC level. The Frenchman’s height and reach make him a tough assignment for the featherweight division, and he capitalises on those physical advantages by throwing an array of kicks to the legs, body, and head. Although Gomis looks less confident on the mat, he is expected to emerge with another win here.
William Gomis by decision
Danny Barlow vs Sam Patterson
Danny Barlowvs 
Sam Patterson |
| -285.71 at Marantelli Bet | UFC betting odds | +230 at Marantelli Bet |
| 9-0- | MMA record | 12-2-1 |
| 29 | Age | 28 |
| 6’2” | Height | 6’3” |
| 170lbs | Weight | 170lbs |
| 79” | Reach | 78” |
| USA | Nationality | England |
Danny Barlow (9-0-0) is a tough brawler with five knockout victories on his unspoilt professional record. The 29-year-old is not the most technical striker, but nobody to date has been able to sufficiently evade his relentless attacks. Barlow can tire toward the end of his rounds and might face a tougher challenge when he enters the UFC Apex this weekend.
Sam Patterson (12-2-1) is a submission specialist with seven professional wins via tapout. The Englishman uses his long limbs to entangle opponents with a range of grappling threats, and he will be keen to take this contest to the mat from the opening bell. If the 28-year-old can achieve this without wearing too much damage on the feet, he presents an upset opportunity at nice odds with top online bookmakers.
