Preview: UFC Vegas 103 ‘Kape vs. Almabayev’

Heavyweights

Mario Pinto (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Austen Lane (13-5, 1-2 UFC)

ODDS: Pinto (-455), Lane (+350)

It’s hard to be entirely confident, but Portugal’s Pinto might be a heavyweight prospect worth watching. Pinto has had a whirlwind two years. He broke out by winning a one-night tournament early in 2023, then earned a UFC contract with the best performance of his career on Dana White’s Contender Series in October. However, Pinto isn’t the typical fast-finishing heavyweight slugger, instead serving as more of an antidote to that type of approach. Pinto is gigantic and leverages that frame into being able to take his time, taking opportunities as they appear, staying patient and outlasting his opposition. His DWCS win was the best of both worlds, as Pinto didn’t go wild but still scored a quick knockout, so at this point, it should basically be sink or swim for him. It’s unclear how well his game will hold together against better competition, but there’s nothing left to prove on the regional scene.

Lane seems about the right level of first test for Pinto inside the UFC, particularly since he’s the type of high-level athlete who carved out a brief career in the NFL. That also comes with an approach that’s surprisingly wide if not particularly deep. Lane can throw out a lot of ideas, including some decent enough wrestling for a heavyweight level when the matchup calls for it, but he’s messy enough that there’s always the chance that his opponent can catch him cold. Pinto could just lose his composure against the first opponent who can match him in size and speed, but he has shown enough to at least earn the benefit of the doubt that he can pass this test. The pick is Pinto via second-round stoppage.

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Kape vs. Almabayev
Brundage vs. Marquez
Ribovics vs. Haqparast
Pinto vs. Lane
Gomis vs. Amil
Barlow vs. Patterson
The Prelims