Kape wins UFC main event with TKO of Almabayev

Flyweight contender Manel Kape defeated Asu Almabayev in Saturday's UFC Fight Night main event, winning via TKO at the 2:16 mark of the third round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Kape unleashed a barrage of strikes against the fence to set up the finish, landing knees, elbows, and uppercuts. Almabayev retreated, but Kape chased after him and referee Mike Beltran stepped in to halt the fight shortly thereafter.

After the victory, Kape declared he's the best flyweight in the world and sent a message to champion Alexandre Pantoja and top contender Kai Kara-France.

"Pay attention, Pantoja, Kara-France, whoever is next to fight against me," Kape said in his postfight interview. "Be ready. Because I'm gonna steal that belt like I stole the candies from my daughter."

Kape put on a striking clinic against Almabayev from start to finish, outlanding him 61-40 in significant strikes. The 31-year-old was much quicker and tagged his opponent with devastating combinations and sharp counters. Kape managed distance well and stalked Almabayev throughout the fight.

Kape was ahead 20-18 on two judges' scorecards going into the third round, while the third judge had the fight tied 19-19.

"Everybody was scared to fight him," Kape said of Almabayev, who agreed to the matchup less than a month ago after Brandon Royval withdrew due to an injury. "I'm the best."

Kape, who was competing in his first UFC main event, has now won two in a row. The Angolan-born Portuguese fighter is ranked No. 6 in the 125-pound division.

Almabayev became the first Kazakh fighter to headline a UFC event. He suffered his first loss in 18 fights and his first defeat in the UFC, falling to 4-1 in the promotion. The 31-year-old is ranked No. 8 at flyweight.