Get ready for a night of electrifying MMA action that’s bound to shake up the rankings—UFC Vegas 112: Royval vs. Kape is here, and it’s packed with matchups that could redefine the flyweight and featherweight divisions. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can Brandon Royval, ranked No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, hold off the surging Manel Kape, who’s hot on his heels at No. 6? Royval has secured three wins in his last five fights, but Kape’s impressive six victories in his last seven outings suggest he’s on a collision course with the top. Is this the moment Kape breaks into the elite tier, or will Royval cement his spot as a title contender?
In the co-main event, Giga Chikadze faces a must-win situation after two consecutive losses, taking on the red-hot Kevin Vallejos, who boasts a 16-1 pro record and two flawless UFC victories. Can Chikadze rebound, or will Vallejos continue his unstoppable rise? And this is the part most people miss: the undercard is stacked with rising stars and seasoned veterans alike, from Cesar Almeida vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk to the explosive Melquizael Costa vs. Morgan Charriere. Not to mention Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha and King Green vs. Lance Gibson Jr., fights that could launch careers or end them.
The preliminary card is no slouch either, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+. Amanda Lemos clashes with Gillian Robertson in a strawweight showdown, while Neil Magny takes on Yaroslav Amosov in a welterweight bout that could shake up the division. But the real question is: Who’s the next breakout star hiding in plain sight?
Here’s the full lineup for UFC Vegas 112, live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday night:
Main Card (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN+)
1. Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape (Flyweight)
2. Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)
3. Cesar Almeida vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
4. Melquizael Costa vs. Morgan Charriere (Featherweight)
5. Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha (Light Heavyweight)
6. King Green vs. Lance Gibson Jr. (Welterweight)
Preliminary Card (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN+)
1. Amanda Lemos vs. Gillian Robertson (Women’s Strawweight)
2. Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson (Bantamweight)
3. Neil Magny vs. Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
4. Sean Sharaf vs. Steven Asplund (Welterweight)
5. Melissa Croden vs. Luana Santos (Women’s Flyweight)
6. Allen Frye vs. Guilherme Pat (Welterweight)
7. Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Tereza Bleda (Women’s Bantamweight)
Led by Bryan Tucker, the managing editor-in-chief of MMA Fighting and executive director of combat sports at SB Nation, this event promises to deliver high-stakes action and unforgettable moments. Who do you think will steal the show? And which fighter’s performance will spark the most debate? Let us know in the comments—this is one fight card you won’t want to miss!
