Manel Kape’s UFC Vegas 103 TKO win sparks eye pokes controversy

Manel Kape secured a dominant TKO victory over Asu Almabayev in the UFC Vegas 103 main event, but the fight did not end without controversy.

Multiple eye pokes by Kape, including one that went unnoticed by referee Mike Beltran, have led some fans to question the fairness of the result.

Originally scheduled to face former title challenger Brandon Royval, Kape instead took on Almabayev, who stepped in on short notice with a 17-fight winning streak. Kape controlled the fight early, showcasing his power and precision.

However, repeated eye pokes, one of which was not called by the referee, may have affected Almabayev’s vision as the bout progressed.

In the third round, Kape pressed Almabayev against the cage before chasing him down across the Octagon and securing the TKO victory. While the performance reinforced Kape’s position as a top flyweight contender, the manner of the win sparked criticism on social media.

Fans took to various platforms to express frustration over the unpenalised fouls. One user called the result a “win via eye poke TKO,” while another claimed Kape had “cheated” his way to victory.

Some compared the fight to previous Kape finishes, arguing he has benefited from illegal strikes in the past.

Despite the controversy, Kape received support from several UFC fighters. Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling praised the performance, while UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad called for Kape to receive a title shot.

With back-to-back wins, including a December victory over Bruno Silva, Kape has positioned himself for either a title opportunity or a No. 1 contender fight in the flyweight division.

However, questions remain over whether his UFC Vegas 103 win should carry an asterisk due to the contentious eye pokes, even as Kape won 'Performance of the Night' bonus.