UFC Royval vs. Kape – Results and a Violent Main Event
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape delivered one of the most explosive cards of late 2025, closing out the UFC’s final event of the year with a string of knockouts, highlight‑reel moments, and a main event that ended in pure violence. The card, held at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, showcased rising contenders, veteran grit, and a flyweight headliner that reshaped the division’s title picture.
Main Event: Manel Kape Destroys Brandon Royval in Round One
Manel Kape made a thunderous statement in the flyweight division, stopping Brandon Royval via first‑round TKO after backing him to the fence and detonating a right hook that sent Royval crashing to the canvas. A single follow‑up shot briefly rendered Royval unconscious, forcing the referee to step in as Kape walked away with one of the cleanest finishes of his career.
CBS Sports reported that Kape “knocked out Brandon Royval with relative ease,” executing his game plan exactly as promised: pressure, trap, unload. The win ties Kape with Joseph Benavidez for the most knockouts in UFC flyweight history.
Co-Main and Main Card Highlights
Kevin Vallejos def. Giga Chikadze — KO (Spinning Backfist & Elbows), Round 2
A stunning upset and one of the most violent finishes of the night. Vallejos caught Chikadze mid‑exchange with a spinning backfist, followed by elbows that ended the fight emphatically.
Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charrière — KO (Head Kick), Round 1
Costa delivered a flawless head‑kick knockout just 74 seconds into the fight, electrifying the APEX crowd and adding another viral finish to his résumé.
Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Cesar Almeida — Unanimous Decision
A clean, disciplined performance from Oleksiejczuk, who swept the scorecards 30‑27 across the board.
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha — Unanimous Draw
A clash of styles that produced a razor‑close contest. All three judges scored it 28‑28, reflecting a competitive, back‑and‑forth battle.
King Green def. Lance Gibson Jr. — Split Decision
Green’s unorthodox style and constant trash‑talking carried him to a narrow split decision, snapping a losing streak and closing his year on a high note.
Preliminary Card Results
- Jamey‑Lyn Horth def. Tereza Bleda — TKO (Punches), Round 1
- Guilherme Pat def. Allen Frye — Unanimous Decision
- Luana Santos def. Melissa Croden — Unanimous Decision
- Steven Asplund def. Sean Sharaf — TKO (Punches), Round 2
- Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson — Unanimous Decision
- Yaroslav Amosov def. Neil Magny — Submission (Anaconda Choke), Round 1
A Card Defined by Violence and Momentum Shifts
From spinning backfists to head‑kick knockouts, the Royval vs. Kape card delivered a barrage of finishes that will be replayed for months. The event also marked the end of the UFC’s 2025 schedule, and the fighters made sure it ended with impact.
But the night belonged to Manel Kape.
His first‑round destruction of Brandon Royval didn’t just close the show — it reopened the flyweight title conversation. With champion Joshua Van and top contender Tatsuro Taira looming, the division has never been more dangerous.
Final Thoughts
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape was a violent, high‑energy sendoff to the 2025 fight calendar. Rising prospects made statements, veterans delivered drama, and the main event produced a knockout that will echo into 2026.
Manel Kape didn’t just win — he demanded a title shot. And after a finish like that, it’s hard to argue.
