We're back at the Las Vegas Apex for another event, featuring rising flyweights eager to make their mark on the division and become future title contenders. While the card may not feature many household names, the matchmaking promises some thrilling and competitive matchups. This event is made up of 10 fights, with the prelims kicking off at 4:30 PM EST, followed by the main card at 7:00 PM, all available for free on ESPN+.

Main Card

#6 Manel Kape vs #8 Asu Almabayev
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Asu Almabayev steps in on short notice for his first main event against Manel Kape, after Brandon Royval was forced to withdraw due to injury. Kape is a fast, explosive striker who relentlessly hunts for the knockout and is always a threat. Known for his entertaining antics and bold speeches, Kape can sometimes lose focus during the fight. Almabayev, meanwhile, is a flashy striker with impressive grappling. His ground game is built on relentless top control, and he typically looks for submissions during scrambles rather than pursuing them in a controlled manner.

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Cody Brundage vs Julian Marquez
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Cody Brundage has been part of a few controversial bouts that ended in no contests, but his heavy-handed striking and strong wrestling background always make for exciting matchups. While he hasn’t been able to string together consistent wins recently, and his co-main event spot this weekend raised some eyebrows, it’s sure to be an entertaining fight. Julian Marquez, a well-rounded fighter, is known for his "kill or be killed" mentality, as evidenced by his lack of decision victories. This one is bound to be a fun, unpredictable scrap, as neither fighter has been particularly consistent lately.

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Nasrat Haqparast vs Esteban Ribovics
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Nasrat Haqparast faces Esteban Ribovics in what is my favorite fight of the night. Haqparast is a high-volume striker with excellent takedown defense. When he dictates the pace on the feet, he's a tough fighter to beat, but in his recent bouts, he's shown that more experienced opponents can pressure him against the cage. Ribovics, meanwhile, is a skilled striker with sharp, powerful combinations. Known for his spectacular knockout finishes, he also boasts a strong ground game that keeps his opponents on their heels.

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Hyder Amil vs William Gomis
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

William Gomis is a well-rounded fighter who doesn't focus on one particular style. Instead, he adapts to the opportunities presented in the fight, adjusting his approach based on the flow of the action rather than sticking to a strict game plan. Hyder Amil, on the other hand, is an aggressive striker who relies on his durability and heavy power to overwhelm his opponents. However, his tendency to overcommit to his strikes could leave him vulnerable, giving Gomis an opportunity to exploit any mistakes.

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Danny Barlow vs Sam Patterson
Welterweight Bout - 170 lbs

Danny Barlow is a long, powerful striker known for his ability to secure early finishes, though he doesn’t rush in search of one. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is solid if the fight hits the ground, but he often keeps it standing. Sam Patterson, standing tall for his weight class, makes excellent use of his size in grappling situations but doesn’t use it on the feet. With 58% of his wins coming by submission, his ground game is a significant threat.

Prelims

Austen Lane vs Mario Pinto
Heavyweight Bout - 265 lbs

Austen Lane is set to face UFC newcomer Mario Pinto. A former football player with five years of NFL experience, Lane brings his impressive athleticism into the cage, using it to control opponents against the fence and dominate on the ground. Mario Pinto, on the other hand, is a technical striker who takes a measured approach, starting slow before unleashing powerful shots as the fight progresses.

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Ricardo Ramos vs Chepe Mariscal
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Ricardo Ramos is a tall, lanky fighter known for his powerful kicks and strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills on the ground. He’s constantly looking for a submission finish whenever the fight hits the mat. Chepe Mariscal, on the other hand, is a relentless competitor who relies on pressure, cardio, and sheer determination to secure victories. With solid striking and the ability to mix in takedowns when necessary, he keeps opponents guessing and never lets up.

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Danny Silva vs Lucas Almeida
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Lucas Almeida is a powerful striker who constantly seeks the finish, turning every fight into a hard-hitting battle. His ground game is a weakness, so he works quickly to keep the action standing and avoid being taken down. He did miss weight by a few pounds this weekend. Danny Silva, on the other hand, is a technical striker with excellent body work. While not much of a wrestler himself, this matchup is likely to stay on the feet, unless Silva is being picked apart on the feet.

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Andrea Lee vs JJ Aldrich
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Andrea Lee is a versatile striker who relies on her technical skills to outmaneuver opponents. After five consecutive losses, she’s determined to get back in the win column. JJ Aldrich, meanwhile, is a well-rounded fighter with solid takedowns and top control. On the feet, she uses a high-volume striking approach to secure decision victories.

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#12 Charles Johnson vs Ramazan Temirov
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Charles Johnson is a dynamic, technical striker with excellent takedown defense. He controls the pace of the fight with his high-volume striking, staying active and precise on the feet. Ramazan Temirov, on the other hand, is an explosive striker with tremendous power. He relentlessly moves forward, unafraid to take a punch in order to land his own heavy blows. This should be an awesome striking showcase to start the night.

Enjoy the Fights!