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The UFC is at the Apex for one final event in 2025 this weekend, with Flyweights Brandon Royval and Manel Kape headlining. At today's media day, fighters shared thoughts and answered questions about their matchups. Here are the key points from their interviews.

## Brandon Royval Expects Another Exciting Fight

Talking about how he feels the fight this weekend with Manel Kape will play out, Royval calmly referenced his past of always putting on a show, making it clear that he is not only prepared but expecting another classic battle inside the octagon.


>“I don’t have this many fight of the nights for no reason.” - Brandon Royval

Royval already holds the Flyweight record for Fight of the Night bonuses with five, and he will be looking to add a sixth to his resume this weekend.

## Manel Kape Feels Close to Title Despite Setbacks

When asked how he feels this year has gone for him, Kape was positive, discussing the injury that forced him out of the first time this matchup with Brandon Royval was booked earlier this year, and saying he is still happy with how his career has gone.


>“I could have been the man fighting for the belt last Saturday. I know my time is coming.” - Manel Kape

With an impressive victory this weekend, Kape could reestablish himself as a top name to watch in title contention.

UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape Media Day Highlights

The UFC is in the Apex for one final time this year as Flyweights Brandon Royval and Manel Kape square off in the main event. I went over every fight on the card to give my predictions and bets, including the Underdog Best Bet of the Week, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 12/9/2025**

## Brandon Royval +210 vs. Manel Kape -270

Top-ranked Flyweights square off in this main event, looking to push towards a title shot. Brandon Royval is an all-action fighter with a slick submission game and high-volume boxing. Manel Kape is a lightning-fast kickboxer who has shown solid defensive grappling, though he can be low-output at times if his opponent doesn’t pressure him.

I’ve got Kape here as I feel his counter-striking style makes Royval the perfect matchup to land big shots and showcase his skills.

**Prediction:** Kape by 3rd Round TKO

## Giga Chikadze +230 vs. Kevin Vallejos -294

Fun matchup here in our Featherweight co-main event. Giga Chikadze is a kickboxer with deadly body kicks and good durability, though his grappling and defence have been exploited. Kevin Vallejos is a fast-rising prospect with fantastic technical boxing and an evolving ground game.

I like Vallejos here, as he is the younger, more well-rounded fighter who is defensively responsible and durable enough to survive any early adversity on the feet and push through to take over in the later rounds.

**Prediction:** Vallejos by Decision

## Cesar Almeida +170 vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk -208

Middleweight strikers collide in this interesting clash. Cesar Almeida is a former kickboxer who has transitioned to MMA and shown his striking skills, though his takedown defence has been an issue. Cezary Oleksiejczuk makes his debut here off a fast knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he continued to display very dangerous striking, which has helped him earn three straight first-round knockouts.

I’m taking Almeida here, as this should be a striking match that makes his grappling issues irrelevant, and he has UFC experience. With that, Cesar Almeida is this week’s Underdog Best Bet of the Week.

**Prediction:** Almeida by Decision **Bet:** Almeida MoneyLine

## Morgan Charrière -115 vs. Melquizael Costa -106

Featherweights looking to continue their momentum in this main card scrap. Morgan Charriere is a skilled striker with deadly knockout power, as he showed with his third-round finish of Nate Landwehr last time out. Melquizael Costa looks to extend his four-fight win streak here as he competes for the fourth time this year with his strong grappling and slick submission skills.

I lean towards Charriere here as I see him as the cleaner and more damaging striker, while I trust his grappling enough to keep this mainly a striking match.

**Prediction:** Charriere by Decision

## Kennedy Nzechukwu -128 vs. Marcus Buchecha +105

Heavyweights look to get things on track and begin climbing the ranks. Kennedy Nzechukwu is a dangerous striker who has had all three of his fights at this weight end in the first round, although the last time out that meant getting submitted by Valter Walker in under a minute. Marcus Buchecha is a skilled grappler who transitioned to MMA and struggled in his first UFC bout against Martin Buday, where his cardio let him down.

I’ll go with Buchecha to get a submission here, as we saw Nzechukwu struggle to defend grappling in his last outing, and now he is facing a world-class submission artist.

**Prediction:** Buchecha by 1st Round Submission **Bet:** Buchecha by Submission

## Amanda Lemos +155 vs. Gillian Robertson -189

Ranked Strawweights square off in this clash of styles. Amanda Lemos is a former title challenger with a dangerous striking game, although she is now thirty-eight and has still shown a weakness against grapplers. Gillian Robertson is a dominant grappler who comes in having won her last four fights, including two ground-and-pound stoppages.

I see Robertson’s advantage on the ground proving too much for Lemos to overcome.

**Prediction:** Robertson via Decision

## Joanderson Brito -270 vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan +215

Dangerous Featherweight finishers face off in this can’t-miss matchup. Joanderson Brito is a stocky powerhouse of a fighter with serious power in his hands, looking to bounce back from two decision losses in which his grappling was exploited. Melsik Baghdasaryan is a fast kickboxer who has struggled with consistent activity in recent years.

Brito should take care of this one, as he is the fighter much more likely to find a finish, and he holds the grappling upside in this, unlike his last fight.

**Prediction:** Brito by Decision

## Neil Magny +300 vs. Yaroslav Amosov -400

Two veterans square off in this Welterweight matchup, with a top talent from outside the UFC looking to enter the ranks. Neil Magny is a very experienced grappler who keeps a high pace and uses his length well on the ground. Yaroslav Amosov is a former Bellator champion who holds a strong wrestling game and comes in off a first-round submission win.

I’ll go with Amosov here, as he has the wrestling skills to control this fight, and I don’t see Magny's pressure affecting him, given his experience outside the UFC.

**Prediction:** Amosov by Decision

## Sean Sharaf +170 vs. Steven Asplund -213

Fast-finishing Heavyweights collide in this prelim matchup. Sean Sharaf is a dangerous but inexperienced finisher who returns after over a year away following his debut loss to Junior Tafa. Steven Asplund comes in off a fast knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series this year in a fight where he was a sizeable underdog.

I’ll pick Sharaf here as neither man has proven much other than they are dangerous early, so I’ll take the underdog in a highly volatile matchup.

**Prediction:** Sharaf by 1st Round TKO

## Luana Santos -128 vs. Melissa Croden +105

Bantamweights coming off finish victories face off in this one. Luana Santos is a strong grappler with a solid submission game, having finished two of her last three opponents on the ground. Melissa Croden is a well-rounded fighter who keeps the pressure on her opponents and comes in off a strong debut where she scored a late finish over Tainara Lisboa.

I’ll go with Santos here, given her UFC experience and the fact that Croden has never won a fight by decision in her career, which is concerning.

**Prediction:** Santos by Decision

## Allen Frye +137 vs. Guilherme Pat -169

Debuting Heavyweights square off here early on the card. Allen Frye is a fast finisher who has ended all six of his professional fights by knockout. Guilherme Pat is also an undefeated finisher, having finished four of his five opponents, and he has a tall, long frame that he uses well.

I like Pat here, as he has more octagon time in his career and has looked like a cleaner striker.

**Prediction:** Pat by 2nd Round TKO

## Tereza Bleda -149 vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth +122

Flyweights collide here to open the card. Tereza Bleda is a young, well-rounded fighter with an impressive record, having demonstrated solid finishing skills and losing only to top-ranked Natalia Silva. Jamey-Lyn Horth is a big, strong fighter at the weight, with a solid wrestling game and decent striking.

I lean towards the younger and more well-rounded Bleda in this one.

**Prediction:** Bleda by Decision

UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape Odds Breakdown

It was recently announced that Alexander Volkanovski would be defending his Featherweight title in a rematch with Diego Lopes, and the odds for that matchup have been released. This fight is scheduled for January 31st at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 12/8/2025**

## Current Odds: Alexander Volkanovski -179, Diego Lopes +138

These odds mean it would take a risk of $179 to win $100 on Alexander Volkanovski, while a risk of $100 on Diego Lopes could win $138.

This will be the second straight fight for Volkanovski, where he faces off with Lopes, as his last fight was a decision win over Lopes, where he claimed the vacant title. Lopes comes into this off a spinning elbow knockout of Jean Silva at Noche UFC, punching his ticket to another title shot.

## Past Odds: Alexander Volkanovski

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Alexander Volkanovski (-156) vs. Diego Lopes (+146) UFC 314 - Win

Alexander Volkanovski (-127) vs. Ilia Topuria (+107) UFC 298 - Loss

Alexander Volkanovski (+211) vs. Islam Makhachev (-251) UFC 294 - Loss

Alexander Volkanovski (-370) vs. Yair Rodriguez (+295) UFC 290 - Win

Alexander Volkanovski (+320) vs. Islam Makhachev (-355) UFC 284 - Loss

## Past Odds: Diego Lopes

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Diego Lopes (+195) vs. Jean Silva (-230) UFC Fight Night: Lopes vs. Silva - Win

Diego Lopes (+146) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (-156) UFC 314 - Loss

Diego Lopes (-173) vs. Brian Ortega (+148) UFC 306 - Win

Diego Lopes (N/A) vs. Dan Ige (N/A) UFC 303 - Win

Diego Lopes (-145) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (+125) UFC 300 - Win

Do you think it will be repeat or revenge in this Featherweight matchup? Let us know in the comments.

Betting Odds: Alexander Volkanovski Favored For Rematch Against Diego Lopes

This weekend, from the UFC Apex, Flyweight Brandon Royval and Manel Kape square off, looking to push their way into the title picture. The betting odds are out; have a look.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 12/8/2025**

## Current Odds: Brandon Royval +240, Manel Kape -313

These odds mean a risk of $100 on Brandon Royval could win $240 while it would take a risk of $313 to win $100 on Manel Kape.

This will be Royvals first action since his fight of the year contender with Joshua Van which he lost by decision. Kape returns to the octagon here for the first time since his main event victory over Asu Almabayev where he got a third round TKO.

## Past Odds: Brandon Royval

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Brandon Royval (-103) vs. Joshua Van (-117) UFC 317 - Loss

Brandon Royval (+245) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-285) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira - Win

Brandon Royval (+256) vs. Brandon Moreno (-306) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 - Win

Brandon Royval (+163) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (-188) UFC 296 - Loss

Brandon Royval (+177) vs. Matheus Nicolau (-192) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen - Win

## Past Odds: Manel Kape

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Manel Kape (-210) vs. Asu Almabayev (+180) UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev - Win

Manel Kape (-430) vs. Bruno Silva (+330) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley - Win

Manel Kape (+170) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (-200) UFC 304 - Loss

Manel Kape (-420) vs. Felipe Dos Santos (+320) UFC 293 - Win

Manel Kape (-210) vs. David Dvorak (+190) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland - Win

## Full Card Odds

Brandon Royval +240 vs. Manel Kape -313, Flyweight

Giga Chikadze +215 vs. Kevin Vallejos -278, Featherweight

Cesar Almeida +142 vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk -175, Middleweight

Morgan Charrière -110 vs. Melquizael Costa -111, Featherweight

Kennedy Nzechukwu -145 vs. Marcus Buchecha +119, Heavyweight

Amanda Lemos +137 vs. Gillian Robertson -169, Strawweight

Joanderson Brito -256 vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan +200, Featherweight

Neil Magny +300 vs. Yaroslav Amosov -400, Welterweight

Sean Sharaf +180 vs. Steven Asplund -222, Heavyweight

Luana Santos -161 vs. Melissa Croden +131, Bantamweight

Allen Frye +137 vs. Guilherme Pat -169, Heavyweight

Tereza Bleda -147 vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth +121, Flyweight

Who are you betting in this fun Flyweight clash? Let us know in the comments below.

Betting Odds: Brandon Royval Massive Underdog vs. Manel Kape

During the UFC 323 main card, it was announced on broadcast that a Middleweight matchup between former champion Sean Strickland and rising contender Anthony Hernandez would headline a fight night card early next year. This matchup is scheduled for February 21st at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

## Announcement: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez, Middleweight

This will be Strickland's first fight since losing in the rematch to Dricus Du Plessis in an attempt to reclaim his title. Anthony Hernandez enters this off his dominant submission win over Roman Dolidze.

## Full Card

Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez, Middleweight

Who do you have in this pivotal Middleweight clash? Let us know in the comments.

Sean Strickland to Face Anthony Hernandez in Main Event

The UFC is live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for a PPV card headlined by a Bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan. Follow along with the results all card long right here.

## Early Prelims

## Featherweight Bout: Muhammad Naimov vs. Mairon Santos

**Result:** Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov via TKO (Punches) Round 3. 0:21

## Middleweight Bout: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli

**Result:** Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli via Submission (Standing Guillotine Choke) Round 1, 1:09

## Light Heavyweight Bout: Ibo Aslan vs. Iwo Baraniewski

**Result:** Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan via KO (Punch) Round 1, 1:29

## Lightweight Bout: Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner

**Result:** Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza via TKO (Punches) Round 1, 2:24

## Middleweight Bout: Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira

**Result:** Brunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Round 3, 5:00

## Prelims

## Lightweight Bout: Fares Ziam vs. Nazim Sadykhov

**Result:** Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov via TKO (Elbows) Round 2, 4:59

## Flyweight Bout: Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva

**Result:** Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) Round 3, 5:00

## Lightweight Bout: Terrance McKinney vs. Chris Duncan

**Result:** Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney via Submission (Anaconda Choke) Round 1, 2:30

## Lightweight Bout: Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres

**Result:** Manuel Torres def. Grant Dawson via TKO (Punches) Round 1, 2:25

## Main Card

## Light Heavyweight Bout: Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov

**Result:** Majority Draw - (29-28, 28-28, 28-28) Round 3, 5:00

## Bantamweight Bout: Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott

**Result:** Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo via Decision (Unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Round 3, 5:00

## Flyweight Bout: Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira

**Result:** Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via TKO (Ground Strikes) Round 2, 2:24

## Flyweight Title Bout: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van

**Result:** Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja via TKO (Arm Injury) Round 1, 0:26

## Bantamweight Title Bout: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan

**Result:** Petr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili via Decision (Unanimous) (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) Round 5, 5:00

UFC 323 Results

At the seasonal press conference today, the UFC announced that headlining UFC 326 will be a BMF title fight between Lightweights Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. This matchup is scheduled for March 7th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

## Announcement: Max Holloway vs. Charles Olivera, Lightweight BMF Title Fight

This will be a rematch from over ten years ago when both men competed at Featherweight. Holloway enters this off a win over Dustin Poirier, where he defended his BMF title by unanimous decision. Oliveira is coming off a second-round submission win over Mateusz Gamrot in Rio last month.

## Full Card

Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveria, Lightweight BMF Title Fight

Who are you taking in this matchup of fan favourites? Let us know in the comments!

Max Holloway to Defend BMF Title vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 326

The UFC is back on PPV tomorrow from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for a Bantamweight title fight between champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan. The official weigh-in took place today, here are the results.

## Main Card 10 PM EST

**Bantamweight Championship:** Merab Dvalishvili (135) vs. Petr Yan (135)

**Flyweight Championship:** Alexandre Pantoja (125) vs. Joshua Van (124.5)

**Flyweight:** Brandon Moreno (125) vs. Tatsuro Taira (126)

**Bantamweight:** Henry Cejudo (136) vs. Payton Talbott (136)

**Light Heavyweight:** Jan Blachowicz (206) vs. Bogdan Guskov (206)

## Prelims 6 PM EST

**Lightweight:** Grant Dawson (156) vs. Manuel Torres (156)

**Lightweight:** Terrance McKinney (156) vs. Chris Duncan (156)

**Flyweight:** Maycee Barber (125.5) vs. Karine Silva (125.5)

**Lightweight:** Fares Ziam (156) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (155.5)

**Middleweight:** Marvin Vettori (186) vs. Brunno Ferreira (189)*

**Lightweight:** Edson Barboza (155.5) vs. Jalin Turner (155)

**Light Heavyweight:** Ibo Aslan (205.5) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (206)

**Middleweight:** Mansur Abdul-Malik (185.5) vs. Antonio Trocoli (186)

**Featherweight:** Muhammad Naimov (146) vs. Mairon Santos (147.5)*

*Brunno Ferreira Missed the Middleweight Limit by 3 Pounds

*Mairon Santos Missed the Featherweight Limit by 1.5 Pounds

UFC 323 Weigh-In Results

It was recently announced that headlining the first card of 2026 would be an interim Lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, and the odds for this matchup have been released. This matchup is scheduled for January 24th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 12/4/2025**

## Current Odds: Justin Gaethje +160, Paddy Pimblett -213

These odds mean a bettor could win $160 of a $100 risk on Justin Gaethje; meanwhile, it would take a $213 risk on Paddy Pimblett to win $100.

Gaethje will come into this as a former interim champion whose most recent win was a decision in his rematch with Rafael Fiziev. Pimblett gets his first crack at a title here following his TKO win over Michael Chandler.

## Past Odds: Justin Gaethje

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Justin Gaethje (+132) vs. Rafael Fiziev (-152) UFC 313 - Win

Justin Gaethje (-155) vs. Max Holloway (+135) UFC 300 - Loss

Justin Gaethje (+128) vs. Dustin Poirier (-148) UFC 288 – Win

Justin Gaethje (+235) vs. Rafael Fiziev (-255) UFC 286 - Win

Justin Gaethje (+122) vs. Charles Oliveira (-132) UFC 274 - Loss

## Past Odds: Paddy Pimblett

*Odds via FightOdds.io*

Paddy Pimblett (-163) vs. Michael Chandler (+143) UFC 314 - Win

Paddy Pimblett (-110) vs. Bobby Green (-110) UFC 304 - Win

Paddy Pimblett (-310) vs. Tony Ferguson (+260) UFC 296 - Win

Paddy Pimblett (-250) vs. Jared Gordon (+230) UFC 282 - Win

Paddy Pimblett (-245) vs. Jordan Leavitt (+225) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall - Win

## Full Card Odds

Justin Gaethje +160 vs. Paddy Pimblett -213, Interim Lightweight Title Fight

Kayla Harrison -204 vs. Amanda Nunes +160, Bantamweight Title Fight

Sean O'Malley -185 vs. Yadong Song +143, Bantamweight

Arnold Allen +148 vs. Jean Silva -192, Featherweight

Waldo Cortes-Acosta -294 vs. Derrick Lewis +220, Heavyweight

Who do you have in this can't-miss Lightweight clash? Let us know in the comments below.

Betting Odds: Justin Gaethje Opens Underdog to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324

This weekend, the UFC is live on PPV for the final time this year as Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defends his title against former champion Petr Yan from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Today was media day, and we had the chance to hear from the fighters leading into their big bouts.

## Merab Dvalishvili Discusses Differences From First Fight With Yan

A lot has changed since the first time Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan met. Now, Dvalishvili is a champion, and Yan is challenging him to reclaim his title. The first fight had some tension going in, which seems to have disappeared since then, and Dvalishvili said it feels different this time.


>"That time it was more personal for me, this time it's competition." - Merab Dvalishvili

This will be the fourth time Dvalishvili defends his Bantamweight title. Should he be successful, he would break the record for most defences in the division's history, currently held by his friend and training partner, Aljamain Sterling.

## Petr Yan Talks Experience in Rematches

Heading into the third rematch of his MMA career, former champion Petr Yan was asked how he feels going into this one compared to his previous two.


>"If you look at my first two rematches with (Magomed) Magomedov and (Aljamain) Sterling. You can see I was 100 percent better in the second fight." - Petr Yan

Yan will look to reclaim the title against Bantamweight champion Petr Yan this weekend.

## Alexandre Pantoja Opens Up About Champion Mindset

Long-reigning Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja talked about what he is thinking going into his fifth title defence as he tries to continue his run as one of the most dominant fighters in the sport.


>"I'm not going on Saturday to defend anything, I'm going to conquer another belt." - Alexandre Pantoja

Pantoja will face Joshua Van for the Flyweight title in the co-main event this weekend.

## Joshua Van Talks Being a Next Generation Fighter

When asked how he feels about being the first fighter born in the 2000s to challenge for a UFC title, Van was excited to make history again, as he often said he seemed to.


>"It feels great to represent the younger generations." - Joshua Van

At just twenty-four years old, Van has a chance to become the youngest active champion this Saturday against Alexandre Pantoja.

Brad Riddell