UFC Vegas 112: Royval vs Kape Full Card Analysis

UFC Vegas 112: Royval vs Kape – 12.13.2025 – Fight Predictions and Analysis

Welcome to our collaborative coverage of UFC Vegas 112: Royval vs Kape. This is the final live event of the year with fights tonight happening in Las Vegas. Be sure to check out our full reasoning for every pick as our records will not reflect confidence in each selection. We will be picking every fight, but likely only recommend betting on a select few. 

Current Record

• Anthony: 322-181-2 (Last Year 321-191-0, 63%)
• Nick: 319-184-2 (Last Year 316-196-0, 62%)

*Fight odds were last updated from Bet99 on 12-12-2025 at 10pm EST

Preliminary Card- Start 7:00pm EST

Tereza Bleda -175 vs Jamey-Lyn Horth +140

• Anthony: The event begins with women’s flyweights Jamey-Lyn Horth and Tereza Bleda. Notably in this fight Bleda is 24 years old while Horth is currently 35. Horth won her single performance earlier in this year at -600 against Vanessa Demopoulos. Her resume consists of wins bullying smaller opponents and losses against the better competition that she has faced. Bleda has the size to compete with Horth here grappling and when striking I do not expect this to be much of a contest. Bleda continues to develop as a martial artist training in the Czech Republic and constantly adding weapons to her arsenal. I am a fan of her ability to kickbox with anyone and connect with strikes that do hurt. Horth does well taking punishment from opponents on the feet but this is a fight that I expect she will lose by absorbing more than double what she lands. Horth averages more strikes landed per minute than Bleda, but she also absorbs 2.55 per minute on average. Bleda has the much better striking defense. I anticipate that Bleda will win here as the betting favorite looking much better than -170 odds imply. Tereza Bleda by Decision
• Nick: Tereza Bleda is 1-1 in the UFC, coming off a decision win over Gabriella Fernandes back in June of 2023. Bleda has a solid wrestling base and she’s strong for the division. She’s a capable striker, but she telegraphs most of her shots and it’s rare we see her string together lengthy combinations. While she does seem to have decent offensive skills, it’s tough to gauge her level as she’s been out of action for more than two years. Horth is 35-years old, and 8-2 professionally. She’s 2-2 in the UFC, coming off an impressive decision win over Vanessa Demopoulos. She seems fairly well-rounded when you watch her on film, but it’s tough to say she has any singular standout skill offensively. That being said, she is big for the division and her cardio and durability are certainly strengths. While Horth may be the bigger and stronger fighter here, Bleda should be more technically advanced no matter where this one goes. I actually see her time away from the cage playing out as an advantage as a young fighter likely to be making major improvements. Tereza Bleda by Decision

Guilherme Pat -175 vs Allen Frye +140

• Anthony: Next is a fight at heavyweight between Allen Frye and Guilherme Pat. This is a very low-level matchup between unproven athletes. Pat is a large and powerful striker with good technical skills when compared to Frye. It is difficult to handicap these sorts of fights since both men seem equally likely to land a knockout punch. However, Pat is here the rightful favorite against Frye with much better striking fundamentals. Pat is very dangerous in the clinch and he can handle opponents that move forward toward him. Normally Frye tends to pressure his opponents by moving forward and threatening with takedown attempts. Frye would likely have the motor to outwork Pat late in this fight but he will need to first survive two rounds with the Brazilian. I am expecting Pat to look much quicker than Frye here standing. His strikes will force Frye to react and defend, impacting his offensive accuracy. Pat will likely be able to score the first knockdown in this matchup rather early. Guilherme Pat by Round Two KO
• Nick: Guilherme Rodrigues Pat will be making his UFC debut here, with a 5-0 record professionally. Pat was scheduled to take on Anthony Guarascio in the Contender Series, but was forced to pull out due to injury. Pat is lean for a heavyweight. He’s explosive on the feet, and he does an excellent job mixing kicks into his combinations. As impressive has he’s been thus far, he really hasn’t been tested against UFC level competition. Allen Frye is 6-0 professionally, with all six of his wins coming via KO. Similarly to his opponent in this match-up he’s been impressive regionally but really hasn’t been tested against a quality level of opponent. Frye is a powerful striker, but seems far from technical in his approach. Additionally, it seems he could be somewhat slow for this division even as a heavyweight. This is a low level match-up between two fighters that present more questions than answers in terms of their respective abilities. I’ll take a small shot on Frye as the underdog. Allen Frye by Round One KO

Luana Santos -130 vs Melissa Croden +110

• Anthony: This will be a bantamweight fight between Melissa Croden and Luana Santos. While this matchup appears close by the betting odds I think it will likely result in a definitive outcome one way or the other. Croden enters on a three fight winning streak with a victory this past October. She had campaigned to face Santos here in Las Vegas last month but now the bout will finally happen tonight. Croden is fresh off a fight camp defending takedowns and reversing positions on the mat. She was able to finish Tainara Lisboa with punches from top position after defending against eight takedowns in that fight. It will be a very similar story here today as Croden opposes Santos. Since moving to train at Syndicate gym, Santos has improved even more as an offensive grappler. Santos has great wrestling and the strength to complete takedowns here against Croden. When striking these two will also be awfully competitive with Croden perhaps having just a very slight edge. I am expecting the Brazilian to time her takedowns well here, securing control of Croden enough to earn this victory. Santos could perhaps win via submission here but I do not think she will rush to finish a tough opponent like Croden. I am not confident enough to bet Santos here at near even odds. Luana Santos by Decision
• Nick: Luana Santos is 9-2 professionally and 4-2 in the UFC. While her skills are still far from refined, she is much more polished as a fighter than one might expect given the lack of depth to her resume. Her strikes are far from powerful, but she continues to show technical improvements in that facet of her game. She’s primarily a grappler with five of her nine professional wins coming via submission. Her takedown entries aren’t always clean, but once she grounds her opponents she’s an extremely dangerous BJJ player. Melissa Croden has a long frame for the division and she had been taking on a decent level of regional opponent, prior to her breaking into the UFC. She secured a win her last time out in her promotional debut, finding a KO in the 3rd round against Tainara Lisboa. She’s relatively well-rounded, with decent but aggressive BJJ if she can drag her fights to the mat. Her striking is far from refined, but she tends to use her length well as a means to force her opponents to fight off their back foot. Croden can keep this close, but I do see Santos as the rightful favorite. She’s the better grappler here and it seems likely this fight hits the mat. Luana Santos by Round Two Submission

Steven Asplund -240 vs Sean Sharaf +190

• Anthony: Next is a fight between heavyweights Steven Asplund and Sean Sharaf. This is a very low-level matchup between athletes both seeking their first promotional win. Asplund is a skilled and imposing heavyweight who earned his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Although Asplund does not have very good physique, he does tend to move quickly in his fights and absorb damage rather well. It is difficult to handicap these sorts of matchups since both men seem equally likely to land a knockout punch. However, Asplund does seem to have a power advantage facing Sharaf. I am expecting Asplund to return fire with confidence here against a less skilled boxer. Sharaf is also smaller and less agile on his feet. We have only really seen Asplund struggle before in fights where he is taken down. Sharaf will not give many different looks here, plodding forward and chasing Asplund with his own hands. I think Asplund will likely find a creative way to finish this fight against Sharaf. He does well swarming opponents with combinations once he knows there is blood in the water. Steven Asplund by Round Two KO
• Nick: Steven Asplund will be making his UFC debut here, coming off a Contender Series win via KO of Anthony Guarascio. He is 6-1 professionally and 27 years old. He has taken on a decent level of regional opponents having primarily fought for LFA. Asplund once weighed 500 lbs, and he lost close to 300 lbs to begin fighting professionally. Primarily a striker he’s dangerous offensively and he does a good job pressuring his opponents. His grappling is mostly a question mark, both offensively and defensively, but he has a massive frame and a decent understanding of footwork. Sharaf is 32-years old and 4-1 professionally, with all four of his wins coming via first round KO. He fights out of a quality camp via Xtreme Couture, but he’s coming off a loss which came in his UFC debut where he fell via KO to Junior Tafa. Sharaf is primarily a striker, but he seems to be relatively well rounded offensively. That being said he’s still raw in his abilities and his cardio and durability both seem to be weaknesses more than they are strengths. This is another low level match-up at heavyweight. I prefer the Asplund side as it seems he’ll have a cardio and durability advantage here against Sharaf. Either fighter could find an early finish here, but it seems the favorite can pull away as this fight wears on. Steven Asplund by Round Two KO

Yaroslav Amosov -420 vs Neil Magny +310

• Anthony: Next is a fight at welterweight between Yaroslav Amosov and Neil Magny. This is the promotional debut for Amosov who was formerly welterweight champion in Bellator. He will get the opportunity to establish himself quickly here facing a tough veteran like Magny. Neil Magny holds the UFC record for most wins at welterweight with 24 total. He was victorious in both of his previous matchups beating Jake Matthews and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos inside of the distance. Magny is an elite pressure fighter that scores consistently throughout his fights. Amosov figures to have the edge over Magny in terms of his boxing and hand speed but this fight will remain competitive on the feet. Amosov will struggle to score offensive takedowns against a grappler of this caliber. He normally does like to utilize his jiu jitsu but that will be much easier said than done here. I expect Magny to limit his offensive opportunities by holding Amosov up against the octagon side. He does well relying on his grappling to win minutes and sap away his opponent’s energy. Magny is truly built to compete in this weight class while Amosov seems a little small. Sure Magny is susceptible to the knockout but otherwise I think he will win this fight against Amosov. The five-inch reach advantage will be helpful at distance as well as when fighting in the clinch. Magny can land great strikes against Amosov at close range and I expect him to also dig shots to the body. This is another good value bet, backing the savvy veteran once again in 2025. Here getting another opportunity to bet on Magny at +300 seems like an early Christmas gift. Neil Magny by Decision
• Nick: Yaroslav Amosov will be making his highly anticipated UFC debut here with a 28-1 professional record at 32 years old. Amosov is a former Bellator Welterweight Champion, with notable wins over Douglas Lima, Logan Storley, and Ed Ruth. Amosov is extremely well rounded, with a decorated resume in Sambo and Combat Sambo as well as MMA. He doesn’t throw much volume on the feet, but he’s highly technical and he carries one shot KO power. He’s a dangerous grappler who can take his opponents down with a wide variety of trips and sweeps. He has effective BJJ and can be a finisher on the mat, and his fight IQ has also been a strength for him so far in his professional career. Neil Magny is a rangy striker who arguably does his best work in the clinch.He has a seemingly infinite gas tank and he’s shown an uncanny ability to wear on his opponents and take over as his fights wear on. Magny has decent offense grappling ability, but he can struggle to get back to his feet if he’s grounded. Magny is always a live underdog, but he’s well past his prime. The line is far too wide here, but Amosov should be able to dictate where this fight takes place. Unlike many of Magny’s recent opponents, he’s not the type to fade as the fight wears on. I expect he can impress here in his debut, and he’ll be live for a finish if this fight hits the mat. Yaroslav Amosov by Round Two Submission

Joanderson Brito -240 vs Isaac Thomson +190

• Anthony: This is a featherweight fight between Isaac Thomson and Joanderson Brito. Originally we were scheduled to see Brito facing Melsik Baghdasaryan in a tough matchup here but now on short-notice it will be Thomson stepping in. He is a 9-2 professional with solid experience fighting numerous times in LFA. While there are winnable fights for Thomson in the promotion, Brito seems like a very tough challenge with only days to prepare. Thomson trains at Team Alpha Male and often relies on throwing high output in order to win. It will be difficult for Thomson to keep a high-pace here given his abbreviated fight camp and Brito’s great striking fundamentals. The Brazilian is an athlete with great size for featherweight and a small speed advantage. Brito also has some excellent chokes and a jiu jitsu brownbelt. Thomson cannot shoot for takedowns here recklessly as it will almost certainly result in a submission. Brito will likely make Thomson uncomfortable on the feet, attacking often out of both stances. I do not think Thomson will last three rounds here facing Brito without eating too many clean shots or giving up his neck. I expect Brito to finish Thomson here and win inside of two rounds. Joanderson Brito by Round Two Submission
• Nick: Isaac Thomson will be making his UFC debut here, taking this fight on short notice as a late notice replacement for Melsik Baghdasaryan. Thomson is 9-2 professionally and 23 years old. Primarily a striker, four of his nine professional wins have come via KO. He fights out of a solid camp via Team Alpha Male in California, and he’s been taking on a quality level of regional opponents, having been mostly fighting in LFA. Brito is known to be extremely aggressive early in fights. He throws explosive strikes, he has powerful takedown entries, and dangerous BJJ as well. His hyper-aggressive style allows him to overwhelm many of his opponents, but it does make him tough to rely on if he can’t secure an early finish. His defensive grappling leaves a lot to be desired, and he enters this fight on the first two-fight losing streak of his professional career. If Thomson had a full camp for this fight I expect he could pull off the upset. That being said, Brito poses an extremely difficult test for him as he debuts here on very short notice. Joanderson Brito by Decision

Gillian Robertson -185 vs Amanda Lemos +150

• Anthony: Next is a fight at women’s strawweight between Gillian Robertson and Amanda Lemos. Robertson is a black belt in BJJ with seven wins by submission in the UFC. Her best showings have come recently with victories in eight of her previous nine showings. Robertson has excellent timing when it comes to attempting and executing her takedowns. Lemos also defends just 64 percent of her opponent’s takedown attempts. She does have a slight lead on Robertson when this fight is standing but Lemos lacks fight-ending power. She has been tested by strong wrestlers before with mixed results. Suarez handled Lemos on the mat in her last fight in what was a one-sided showing. Robertson has also continued to improve as a striker herself over the past few years. Her kicks are much better and now Robertson feels comfortable throwing punches in combination. She should be able to hold her own while standing and eventually drive Lemos down to the mat. Robertson is the much stronger athlete and better overall mixed martial artist. I am very confident predicting that she will win today. At these odds I am confidently betting on Robertson. Gillian Robertson by Round Two Submission
• Nick: Gillian Robertson is outstanding on the mat, with nine of her sixteen professional wins coming via submission. Her striking continues to improve, and having recently moved down to strawweight she’s no longer outsized by the majority of her opponents. She seems to be entering her athletic prime, and she enters this matchup having won six of her last seven fights. Amanda Lemos is an effective striker at range with underrated power for the division. She’s 14-5-1 professionally with eight wins coming via KO and three coming via submission. She’s a technically sound striker and competent on the mat, but she’s risen through the ranks off her brute strength and power on the feet. It is notable she has just a 64 percent takedown defense in the UFC, as it will be vital for her to keep this fight standing. Robertson is the much better grappler in this match-up, but Lemos’ superior striking and footwork could make it tough for her to close the distance it takes to take her down. I expect Lemos can keep this fight standing just long enough to edge out an upset. Amanda Lemos by Decision

Main Card- Starts 10:00pm EST

King Green -300 vs Lance Gibson +240

• Anthony: The main card opens with this fight between Lance Gibson Jr and King Green. This is a short notice debut for Gibson who has previously fought in Bellator. He only agreed to this matchup a few days ago. He is a 9-1 professional with solid overall skills but rather limited potential. Gibson does have solid wrestling and good takedown entries, but limited jiu jitsu and grappling that has only proven to work against very mediocre competition. Green is a much tougher opponent than anyone Gibson has faced before. The veteran brawler has been on a losing streak lately but Green still appears to have the edge here as we handicap this matchup. He is still an extremely slick boxer with great handspeed and elite head movement. Green was once known for his elusiveness and striking defense but now he tends to absorb a lot more damage than he did early in his career. His fights are becoming harder to predict as durability is becoming a question for him here at age 39. I still like his chances of winning here tonight but this is a tough number to bet on Green as the favorite. It is notable that Green was put unconscious in three of his previous four octagon appearances. King Green by Round Two KO
• Nick: Lance Gibson Jr will be making his UFC debut here, with a 9-1 professional record at 30 years old. The majority of Gibson’s professional career has been spent fighting for Bellator, and it is notable his father Lance Gibson Sr. was a former UFC fighter back in the early 2000s. Gibson Jr. is relatively well rounded with four professional wins coming by KO and three coming by submission. He’s a south paw striker with decent offensively grappling ability, but there is no denying this match-up with Green represents a major step up in level of competition for him here. King ‘aka Bobby’ Green is a well-rounded fighter, but his shoulder-roll boxing style is what stands out when you watch him on film. He usually wins fights by out-striking his opponents at boxing range. He throws a lot of volume, with decent power on his shots, and he generally does a good job stringing together effective combinations. While Green is certainly a quality boxer offensively, he tends to keep his hands down more often than he should. He likes to talk to and taunt his opponents as he fights, which occasionally leaves him on the wrong end of exchanges. Green is getting up there in age, but this match-up represents a dramatic step down for him in terms of level of opponent. Gibson Jr. should be able to get his grappling going early here, but as this fight wears on I see Green significantly outclassing him on the feet. King Green by Decision

Kennedy Nzechukwu -130 vs Marcus Buchecha +110

• Anthony: Next is a matchup at heavyweight between Kennedy Nzechukwu and Marcus Buchecha. This is a matchup between striker and grappler. While Buchecha did have an underwhelming debut in the promotion, this is a very talented grappler that should not be taken lightly. Buchecha is a 13-time IBJJF world champion and 2-time ADCC world champion. He received his black belt in 2010 after winning his first IBJJF no-gi title. Since then Buchecha has climbed the ranks and now holds status as a fourth degree blackbelt. Nzechukwu has always had solid takedown defense but at heavyweight it could be harder for him to limit opponent grappling opportunities. Nzechukwu was submitted quickly in his most recent fight, facing Valter Walker. He could fall victim to another heel hook here but one would expect him to be focusing on his takedown defense even more for this fight camp. Nzechukwu has tremendous size and fights well utilizing his long range weapons. We should see Nzechukwu clearly beating Buchecha throughout moments here on the feet. I think Buchecha has equity to win by an early submission but otherwise this will be another fight where he gets picked apart. I am trusting Nzechukwu to keep solid defense and stay out of harm’s way here. He tends to build momentum in his fights once the punches start to land in combinations. Kennedy Nzechukwu by Round Two KO
• Nick: The biggest knock on Nzechukwu is his low output and tendency to stay excessively conservative. He often spends too much time just waiting for fights to come to him. He’s a dangerous striker and technically sound offensively, but his extreme tentativeness prevents him from dominating inferior opponents. He has a long frame and he does a good job striking at range, and his cardio and durability should both continue to be advantageous for him as he continues his career at heavyweight.Marcus Buchecha enters this match-up with a 5-2 professional record at 35 years old. While it’s true his MMA resume is relatively brief, he’s an extremely talented and decorated BJJ player. Buchecha is a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame, as a multiple-time World BJJ and ADCC champion. As a fourth degree black belt in BJJ under Rodrigo Cavaca , his offensive grappling ability is as dangerous as anyone if he can take his fights to the mat. He’s been fighting against a decent level of competition since he’s transitioned to MMA, securing all five of his professional wins for a respectable promotion in ONE FC. His striking isn’t terrible and it seems he has decent durability on the feet, but he’s looking to take almost all of his opponents to the mat both early and often. As talented as he is on paper, he’s coming off an ugly loss in his UFC debut in which he was outworked by Martin Buday. Buchecha is live for an early submission, but I expect Nzechukwu can stay safe long enough to find a finish of his own as this fight wears on. Kennedy Nzechukwu by Round Two KO

Morgan Charriere -110 vs Melquizael Costa -110

• Anthony: This is a close fight at featherweight between Morgan Charriere and Melquizael Costa. I am expecting a good back and forth here between two strong and talented athletes. Costa earned honors for Fight of the Night in his last bout against Julian Erosa. This is his fourth appearance this year after winning fights in February, March and May. He is becoming a consistent threat in the cage, remaining poised throughout his fights and challenging opponents to work very hard. Charriere is a bit more skilled when comparing his striking to that of Costa but both guys crack hard with their kicks and put together good combinations behind them. Each does well moving quickly into and out of range although Costa is more comfortable when it comes to clinching his opponents. The Brazilian is a solid jiu jitsu practitioner and here facing Charriere he should have a clear advantage with his wrestling. I will be interested to see the extent to which Costa does grapple in this fight. It would not surprise me to see either emerge victorious here as this will likely be a matchup that goes to the judges decision. While neither side seems worth betting here at even money I do slightly favor Costa to extend his winning streak. Melquizael Costa by Decision
• Nick: Morgan Charriere is 21-11-1 professionally, and widely regarded as one of the better prospects to come out of France. Charriere is well-rounded, with a solid wrestling base and a crisp and compact striking style. Thirteen of his twenty-one wins have come via KO, but he frequently looks to grapple if he feels he has that advantage over his opponent. He’s skilled and has a relatively high fight IQ, but he does have a habit of fighting down to the level of his opponent. Almost all of his fights play out closely, regardless of who he is matched up against. He is coming off an impressive KO win over Nate Landwehr, but he’s been out of action since that fight took place back in July. Melquizael Costa is an aggressive striker that fights at a very fast pace, but he does leave a lot of openings to be countered. His takedown defense is suspect at best, but he can be dangerous in scrambles and he generally does a decent job working his way back to his feet once he’s grounded. He is 24-7 professionally, coming off four impressive wins and carrying a lot of momentum into this match-up. It seems all facets of his game are improving at a rapid pace, and he’s currently one of the most active fighters on the entire roster with this already being his fourth fight of 2025. This fight should play out closely, so I’ll take a small shot on Charriere as the underdog. Costa is dangerous, but Charriere at his best is the more well-rounded of the two. I expect he can mix in his wrestling if he needs to on the way to a decision. Morgan Charriere by Decision

Cezary Oleksiejczuk -200 vs Cesar Almeida +160

• Anthony: Next is a matchup at middleweight between Cesar Almeida and Cezary Oleksiejczuk. This is the debut for Oleksiejczuk who earned a contract with his victory on Dana White’s Contender Series. Cezary has been training along with his brother Michal Oleksiejczuk with the Fighting Nerds. He continues to develop as a professional, blending in more grappling with his excellent offensive boxing. Oleksiejczuk has nine wins by knockout and similar power to his brother. Almeida is a more technically skilled kickboxer, countering well and thriving in stand-up fights. Almeida is patient, establishing a range that he is comfortable with and landing hooks at any opportunity. Oleksiejczuk is the more reckless fighter and likely the athlete moving forward here. He will look to overwhelm Almeida with punches and heavy pressure but I expect this to be a compelling fight throughout. Oleksiejczuk seems like he has more finishing equity than Almeida but he will be susceptible to eating counters in this fight as he attempts to move forward. I think Oleksiejczuk is the rightful favorite here but I do not want to bet on him in what I view as a very volatile fight. Almeida will take over here by scoring late if a finish does not materialize for Oleksiejczuk. The Brazilian will also land impactful leg kicks throughout this matchup. Cezary Oleksiejczuk by Round Two KO
• Nick: Cezary Oleksiejczuk will be making his UFC debut here, with a 16-3 professional record at 25 years old. Cezary is the younger brother of Mical Oleksiejczuk, and many consider him to be the better prospect of the two. Oleksiejczuk is coming off an impressive Contender Series win via KO of Theo Haig. He’s relatively well rounded, but most of his success has certainly come fighting at striking range. Cesar Almeida is primarily a striker. He’s only 7-1 professionally in MMA, but he has an extensive resume in kickboxing that includes a win over current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. Almeida has solid cardio and durability, and he can put power in his strikes even when he’s moving backwards. Like many kickboxers, however, his grappling leaves a lot to be desired. Both of these fighters could find a KO, but the speed of Oleksiejczuk should allow him to land the bigger shots in this one. Additionally, he does have enough grappling ability to take this fight to the ground if he needs to. Cezary Oleksiejczuk by Round Three KO

Kevin Vallejos -300 vs Giga Chikadze +240

• Anthony: The co-main event is a fight at featherweight between Giga Chikadze and Kevin Vallejos. It is a very intriguing piece of matchmaking just outside the rankings here at 145 pounds. Vallejos is a still young and developing prospect, scorching his way to 16-1 as a professional. El Chino has now won five straight fights, showcasing great boxing skills and pressure since joining the promotion. This young man fights with confidence that does sometimes leave him out of position when striking. Chikadze is an elite kickboxer that should be able to hurt Vallejos here as they brawl on the feet. Giga has struggled to win fights lately but he is always competing against top tier opponents. He benefits from a six-inch reach advantage here in today’s matchup. Chikadze should land kicks and jabs here from distance while trying to keep Vallejos from advancing forward much. He is poised to score well throughout this matchup unless the younger Vallejos can force him to defend and not attack. At 37 years old, Chikadze will likely struggle to earn much respect from Vallejos, his opposite. Vallejos could also rely on his grappling here if he begins to lose momentum while kickboxing. Chikadze has just 65 percent takedown defense and almost no jiu jitsu skills. I am expecting Vallejos to get the job done here as a large betting favorite. Kevin Vallejos by Decision
• Nick: At just 24 years old, Kevin Vallejos is already one of the more highly regarded prospects in the world at featherweight. He’s 16-1, with his only professional loss coming by decision to one of the division’s fastest rising contenders in Jean Silva. Vallejos is well-rounded, but most of his success has come on the feet. He’s an explosive striker capable of putting out effective volume as he throws lengthy combinations. He has KO power, and he does a good job finding devastating body shots against almost anyone he squares up against. Giga Chikadze is a high-level kickboxer who is excellent when striking at range. He throws extremely powerful kicks and his countering ability is extremely advanced. His defensive grappling ability is certainly the most exploitable part of his game, but his ability to strike at range makes him a difficult opponent to close the distance against. Chikadze is the better technical striker at range, but Vallejos does a good job at closing distance and forcing his opponents to brawl. Chikadze has a considerable reach advantage and he’s going to be dangerous early here. That being said, he seems to be on the decline. Vallejos is an excellent boxer and I expect he can close the distance here. He throws out much more volume, which could make it difficult for Chikadze to keep up. Kevin Vallejos by Decision

Manel Kape -300 vs Brandon Royval +240

• Anthony: The main event is a fight at flyweight between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. This is the third occasion we have had this matchup booked with Royval withdrawing against Kape twice already. Kape spent his last camp preparing for Royval, but instead ended up facing Asu Almabayev on short notice. It was one of Kape’s very best appearances as he emerged victorious via round three knockout. Kape is a legitimate top five flyweight given his overall resume and skillset. This is the main event that can likely earn him a title shot next time out. Kape measures his striking entries well and does great work when boxing against his opponents. The more often that Kape is appearing in the octagon, the better results we are seeing in the fight. Royval provides an interesting stylistic test for Kape but I do not think he will win this fight by grappling. Kape has 81 percent takedown defense and great clinch attacks when he does stuff shots. He is accurate when it comes to timing knees and hurting opponents who wrestle. Royval has elite jiu jitsu and finishing instincts, but it will be very difficult for him to find any good positions here tonight. He does his best when winning scrambles and causing chaotic exchanges. Kape has great hips and a low center of gravity. He keeps his feet firmly on the mat and lands his counters with impact. Royval will absorb a lot of clean strikes here as he attempts to land from the outside. I am expecting Kape to fight a clean bout here, punishing Royval with well-timed counters and earning yet another win by knockout. Manel Kape by Round Four KO
• Nick: Manel Kape has excellent power for a flyweight. He is a highly technical striker with advanced footwork, which he uses well to set up his power shots. Kape can be overaggressive at times and his grappling seems average for the division, but his KO power alone makes him a threat against anyone. He is 6-1 across his last seven fights, and it seems there’s a chance he can secure a title shot with an impressive performance in this match-up. Brandon Royval is one of the more aggressive fighters there is on the roster. He starts fights like he’s shot out of a cannon. He is well-rounded with a solid chin but his crafty BJJ and dangerous offensive grappling ability is certainly his greatest strength. He has notable wins over Kai Kara-France, Brandon Moreno, and most recently, Tatsuro Taira. He thrives in chaos and he’s done a good job forcing opponents to fight at his ridiculous pace. This should be a competitive fight, and the five round nature of this bout should play to Royval’s strengths. Kape is going to be extremely dangerous early here, but I see Royval edging out a win as he outvolumes his opponent here as this fight wears on. Brandon Royval by Decision

-Nick Marro

Twitter: @NickMarroDFS

-Anthony Marro

Twitter: @AnthonyMarro_

Photo: UFC.com