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The best MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC Vegas 103 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's international event.
The top UFC betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC Vegas 103 card are up, as well as breakdowns of betting and lineup strategy, plus predictions for the entire event.
The top UFC Vegas 103 betting picks are live on RotoWire. Check out predictions for a favorite, an underdog, a prop and a parlay for bettors to consider Saturday.
UFC Vegas 103 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
UFC futures for 2025 end-of-year champions are discussed by Cole Shelton, who makes four long-term betting plays on fighters capable of earning (or retaining) MMA gold.
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Replacement opponent named
Kape is scheduled to compete against Asu Almabayev in a flyweight fight at UFC Vegas 103 on March 1, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Kape was scheduled to fight the UFC flyweight division's No. 1 contender Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 103. But after Royval withdrew (undisclosed) from the event Wednesday, Kape is expected to fight No. 8 contender Asu Almabayev instead. Almabayev is on an 18-fight win streak, with four of the wins in the UFC and all but one of his promotion victories decisions during 2024. At the very least, a win over Almabyev can help Kape climb the UFC's flyweight rankings at least a little bit, even though a decisive win does not assure him a top-three contender status.
Kape was scheduled to fight the UFC flyweight division's No. 1 contender Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 103. But after Royval withdrew (undisclosed) from the event Wednesday, Kape is expected to fight No. 8 contender Asu Almabayev instead. Almabayev is on an 18-fight win streak, with four of the wins in the UFC and all but one of his promotion victories decisions during 2024. At the very least, a win over Almabyev can help Kape climb the UFC's flyweight rankings at least a little bit, even though a decisive win does not assure him a top-three contender status.
Not fighting Royval
Kape will not fight Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 103, according to Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Royval suffered an injury, which has caused him to withdraw from UFC Vegas 103. Kape will need a new opponent to participate in the event or risk having his first 2025 fight being scheduled for a later date.
Royval suffered an injury, which has caused him to withdraw from UFC Vegas 103. Kape will need a new opponent to participate in the event or risk having his first 2025 fight being scheduled for a later date.
Next bout scheduled
Kape will face off against Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 103 on Mar. 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kape, who is coming off a win over Bruno Silva in early December, will look to stay on track against the formidable Brandon Royval in March. The 31-year-old Angolan fighter is 5-3 during his time with the UFC.
Kape, who is coming off a win over Bruno Silva in early December, will look to stay on track against the formidable Brandon Royval in March. The 31-year-old Angolan fighter is 5-3 during his time with the UFC.
Star performance in easy win
Kape defeated Bruno Silva via TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
ANALYSIS
This was the exact type of performance we have been waiting to see from Kape since his February 2021 UFC arrival. He looked like the best flyweight in the world on this day, destroying an overmatched Silva on the feet and doing so in emphatic fashion. He played to the crowd and spent a good chunk of the time in between rounds campaigning UFC President Dana White for a title shot. The good news for Kape is given the lack of depth at the top of the flyweight division, he has a good case. At most, Kape, who has won five of six dating back to August 2021, should need no more than one more big win to earn his shot at UFC gold.
This was the exact type of performance we have been waiting to see from Kape since his February 2021 UFC arrival. He looked like the best flyweight in the world on this day, destroying an overmatched Silva on the feet and doing so in emphatic fashion. He played to the crowd and spent a good chunk of the time in between rounds campaigning UFC President Dana White for a title shot. The good news for Kape is given the lack of depth at the top of the flyweight division, he has a good case. At most, Kape, who has won five of six dating back to August 2021, should need no more than one more big win to earn his shot at UFC gold.
Looks to rebound in December
Kape will take on Bruno Silva in a flyweight matchup at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kape recently had a four-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of a tough customer in Muhammad Mokaev last July. Despite a solid record, Kape still has a lot to prove to Dana White and UFC brass, as the Mokaev fight was a complete snoozer that didn't win either man any fans (and even led to Mokaev's release). Kape will now have to hold off Silva, a balanced striker/grappler who currently holds the No. 12 spot in the division's rankings.
Kape recently had a four-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of a tough customer in Muhammad Mokaev last July. Despite a solid record, Kape still has a lot to prove to Dana White and UFC brass, as the Mokaev fight was a complete snoozer that didn't win either man any fans (and even led to Mokaev's release). Kape will now have to hold off Silva, a balanced striker/grappler who currently holds the No. 12 spot in the division's rankings.