Matches to Make After UFC Vegas 103

The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicked off its March 2025 schedule with yet another card from the UFC Apex. The UFC Vegas 103 main event featured a flyweight showdown between Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev, with both men looking to become a top contender in the division. All five main card bouts had interesting matchmaking, which ensures that interest will be high for what the victors do next.

Here are five matches to make following UFC Vegas 103.

Manel Kape vs. Brandon Royval

The main event saw Kape (21-7) continue his flyweight ascent by defeating Almabayev (21-3) in an awkward TKO that saw “Starboy” literally chasing down his fleeing opponent. Kape was originally meant to face Royval in what could’ve been a number one contender bout, so let’s book it again. Having won five of his last six fights, including wins over Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira, Royval (17-7) has an extremely strong resume. A recent defeat to Pantoja means another win is necessary for a rematch, though, and Kape would fit the bill perfectly. Conversely, Kape’s title shot would be assured if he could put away “Raw Dawg.”

Cody Brundage vs. Dustin Stoltzfus

Brundage put away Julian Marquez in a wild fight that lasted under a round. With the TKO finish, Brundage (11-6) has now won three of his last five outing, which includes a no contest against Abdul Razak Alhassan. A fight against another skilled middleweight vet should be next and Stoltzfus fits that description perfectly. Stoltzfus (16-6) has won two of his last three fights, including a TKO over Marc-Andre Barriault and submitting Punahele Soriano with a rear-naked choke. Both men are finishers, so it will be entertaining for as long as it lasts.

Nasrat Haqparast vs. Ludovit Klein

Lightweights Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics went back-and-forth over 15 minutes, although it was the Moroccan fighter that got his hand raised after a split decision verdict was announced. Haqparast (18-5) is now on an impressive five-fight win streak, including a split decision nod over Jared Gordon last year. I'd like to see the exciting lightweight go up against Klein next. The 30-year-old is undefeated in his last seven fights and has picked up clear-cut victories over Roosevelt Roberts and Thiago Moises. Both men have a lot of upside, so let's see who is ready to start taking on tougher competition.

Related » UFC Vegas 103 Round-by-Round Scoring

Hyder Amil vs. Steve Garcia

Amil stayed undefeated by surviving some adversity early on and then oustriking William Gomis in the last 10 minutes. Now 11-0 as a pro, Amil has put together three straight victories inside the UFC. At 34, it’s time for a step up and a fight against Garcia would be a lot of fun. “Mean Machine” is on an impressive five-fight win streak that includes TKOs over Kyle Nelson and Chase Hooper. The winner would be ready for a fight against a featherweight contender, so let’s see which fighter wants it more.

Sam Patterson vs. Jacobe Smith

Patterson smashed Danny Barlow with a series of brutal punches in the first round of their main card opener. This caused the first loss of the welterweight prospect’s career and puts Patterson (13-2-1) in a good position moving forward. “The Future” has now won three straight fights inside the Octagon after dropping his debut against Yanal Ashmouz. I’d like to see the English puncher take on another young undefeated mixed martial artist in Smith. The 29-year-old recently picked up his first UFC win by knocking out Preston Parsons, and a fight between the two strikers would be fireworks inside the cage. Whoever wins will undeniably be one to watch moving forward.