Manel Kape vs Brandon Royval Booked for UFC Vegas 103

An exciting matchup has been announced for UFC Vegas 103, as Manel Kape is set to face Brandon Royval on 1 March 2025. This bout will determine the number-one contender in the division, with Royval being a former title challenger and Kape currently ranked sixth.

Kape enters this fight riding the momentum of a spectacular knockout victory over Bruno Silva in the third round of their bout. Prior to that, Kape made headlines for his heated build-up to a fight with the now-released fighter, Muhammad Mokaev, though the fight itself ended up being lacklustre.

Royval, on the other hand, is on an impressive two-fight winning streak. He has recently secured victories over former champion Brandon Moreno and Japanese star Tatsuro Taira. However, Royval has suffered two prior losses to the reigning champion, Alexandre Pantoja. This upcoming fight against Kape may represent Royval's only remaining path back to a title shot.

Overall, this matchup presents a significant opportunity for both fighters to edge closer to a title fight. However, the stakes are undoubtedly higher for Royval. As long as Alexandre Pantoja remains champion, Royval's title prospects hinge entirely on winning this fight. A loss could effectively end his hopes of ever reclaiming gold.