What was supposed to be a measured, five-round flyweight chess match ended in one of the cleanest knockouts of the year, as Manel Kape flattened Brandon Royval in the opening round. Add in highlight-reel finishes, a statement UFC debut from a former Bellator champion, and several career-defining performances, and this card felt anything but routine.
Below is a complete breakdown of UFC on ESPN 73, including full fight results, key moments, estimated fighter earnings, and what each outcome means going into 2026.
Main Card Results & Highlights
The main card aired on ESPN2 and ESPN+ and delivered four finishes in six bouts, with momentum swinging early and often.
Main Event
Flyweight (125 lbs.)
Manel Kape def. Brandon Royval by KO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:18
This fight didn’t just end quickly — it changed the flyweight title picture.
Brandon Royval (17–9, 7–5 UFC) entered the night ranked No. 2 and looking to rebound from a narrow title loss earlier this year. Known for his relentless pace and submission threats, Royval was expected to test Kape over five rounds.
Instead, Manel “Starboy” Kape (22–7, 7–3 UFC) turned the fight into a one-round statement.
After an early feeling-out process with leg kicks and jabs, Kape feinted low, stepped in aggressively, and landed a perfect right hand on the chin. Royval collapsed instantly. Kape followed with short ground strikes until Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight.
It was the cleanest knockout of Kape’s UFC career and his fourth straight stoppage.
Post-fight, Kape made his intentions clear:
“I’m ready for the belt. I’m the real Starboy.”
With this win, Kape likely jumps into the top three and becomes a legitimate next-title contender.
Co-Main Event
Featherweight (145 lbs.)
Kevin Vallejos def. Giga Chikadze by KO — Round 2, 1:29
One of the biggest surprises of the night came courtesy of Kevin Vallejos (15–2, 3–0 UFC).
Veteran striker Giga Chikadze controlled much of Round 1 with calf kicks and range management. But early in Round 2, Vallejos changed everything with a spinning back fist that landed flush, followed by a ruthless punch barrage along the fence.
The referee stepped in quickly.
This marked Vallejos’ third straight UFC knockout and officially announced him as a real threat at 145 pounds.
Chikadze, now on a two-fight losing streak, faces a critical crossroads in a stacked division.
Middleweight (185 lbs.)
Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Cesar Almeida — Unanimous Decision (30–27 x3)
Cezary Oleksiejczuk continued his quiet climb up the middleweight ranks with a disciplined, wrestling-heavy performance.
Facing dangerous striker Cesar Almeida, Oleksiejczuk relied on timely takedowns, top control, and steady ground-and-pound to shut down Almeida’s Muay Thai offense. While Almeida had moments on the feet, he couldn’t keep the fight standing.
This was Oleksiejczuk’s fifth straight win, putting him firmly on the edge of ranked competition.
Featherweight (145 lbs.)
Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charriere by KO — Round 1, 1:14
Melquizael Costa needed just over a minute to end this one.
As Morgan Charriere circled left, Costa timed a perfect high kick, landing clean despite partial defense. Charriere fell face-first, unconscious before hitting the mat.
Costa now rides a five-fight win streak, four by knockout, and is quickly becoming one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
Heavyweight (265 lbs.)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida — Majority Draw
This bout had everything — power strikes, elite grappling, and controversy.
Nzechukwu controlled much of the striking exchanges, but former BJJ world champion Marcus Buchecha threatened submissions in clinch and ground positions. A point deduction due to an eye poke played a key role in the final scorecards.
The result: a majority draw, leaving fans frustrated but intrigued.
A rematch feels inevitable.
Lightweight (155 lbs.)
King Green def. Lance Gibson Jr. — Split Decision
Veteran savvy prevailed.
Bobby “King” Green used volume striking, movement, and takedown defense to edge out rising prospect Lance Gibson Jr. in a close fight. While Gibson had success pressing forward, Green’s experience showed in the final exchanges.
At 39, Green remains a tough out for anyone in the division.
Preliminary Card Results and Highlights
The prelims on ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET) set a frenetic tone with three finishes and a Bellator import’s statement-making debut, proving the undercard’s depth.
| Bout | Result | Method/Time | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Strawweight (115 lbs.) Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Tereza Bleda | Horth def. Bleda | TKO (strikes), R1 2:05 | Horth’s right hand rocked Bleda early; she stuffed takedowns and swarmed for her first UFC finish. Horth (8-2, 3-1 UFC) eyes top-15 next. |
| Middleweight (185 lbs.) Guilherme Pat vs. Allen Frye Jr. | Pat def. Frye | UD (30-27 x3) | Pat’s crisp boxing bloodied Frye early; output dipped but secured 6-0 pro record (2-0 UFC). Frye (8-4, 0-1 UFC) needs volume. |
| Women’s Bantamweight (135 lbs.) Luana Santos vs. Melissa Croden | Santos def. Croden | UD (29-28 x2, 30-27) | Santos’ judo takedowns controlled all three rounds; now 10-2 overall (3-0 UFC at 135). Croden (7-3, 0-1 UFC) must evolve. |
| Heavyweight (265 lbs.) Steven Asplund vs. Sean Sharaf | Asplund def. Sharaf | TKO (strikes), R2 3:49 | Asplund’s elbows opened a cut; post-low blow pause, he poured on pressure for four-fight streak (7-1 pro, 1-0 UFC). |
| **Featherweight (145 lbs.) Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson | Brito def. Thomson | UD (29-28 x3) | Brito’s high-amplitude slams and grinding halted skid; sixth UFC win in nine (17-5-1). Thomson (14-4, 0-1 UFC) pressed back. |
| Welterweight (170 lbs.) Yaroslav Amosov vs. Neil Magny | Amosov def. Magny | Sub (anaconda choke), R1 3:14 | Bellator champ Amosov’s debut: Takedown, top control, choke tap. Now 29-1 (1-0 UFC); Magny (31-15, 23-14 UFC) drops sixth straight. |
Amosov’s quick sub over gatekeeper Magny was the prelim steal, blending seamless wrestling with a rare anaconda choke. The Ukrainian’s arrival could disrupt welterweight’s hierarchy.
UFC on ESPN 73: Royval vs. Kape Fighter Earnings
Official fighter payouts from the Nevada State Athletic Commission have not been released yet (as of December 14, 2025; typically disclosed a few days to weeks after the event). The figures below are estimates based on reported contract details, historical UFC pay for similar Fight Night events, recent performances, and pre-event reports from reliable MMA sources.
These estimates include:
- Base salary/show money + win bonus (winners receive both; losers receive only show)
- Venum Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay (outfitting allowance, tiered by UFC experience)
- Performance bonuses: Four $50,000 bonuses were awarded post-event (two Performance of the Night to Manel Kape and Kevin Vallejos; likely two more, e.g., to Steven Asplund and another standout finish).
| Fighter | Opponent | Result | Estimated Base + Win Bonus | Est. Venum Pay | Bonus | Estimated Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manel Kape | Brandon Royval | Win (KO, R1) | $350,000 + $70,000 win | $11,000 | $50,000 (POTN) | $481,000 |
| Brandon Royval | Manel Kape | Loss | $150,000–$220,000 | $11,000 | None | $161,000–$231,000 |
| Kevin Vallejos | Giga Chikadze | Win (KO, R2) | $40,000 + $40,000 win | $4,500 | $50,000 (POTN) | $134,500 |
| Giga Chikadze | Kevin Vallejos | Loss | $80,000–$100,000 | $11,000 | None | $91,000–$111,000 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | Cesar Almeida | Win (UD) | $60,000 + $60,000 win | $4,500 | None | $124,500 |
| Cesar Almeida | Cezary Oleksiejczuk | Loss | $40,000–$50,000 | $4,500 | None | $44,500–$54,500 |
| Melquizael Costa | Morgan Charriere | Win (KO, R1) | $50,000 + $50,000 win | $6,000 | None | $106,000 |
| Morgan Charriere | Melquizael Costa | Loss | $40,000–$60,000 | $6,000 | None | $46,000–$66,000 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | Marcus Buchecha | Draw | $80,000–$100,000 (no win) | $11,000 | None | $91,000–$111,000 |
| Marcus Buchecha | Kennedy Nzechukwu | Draw | $80,000–$100,000 (no win) | $4,000 | None | $84,000–$104,000 |
| King Green | Lance Gibson Jr. | Win (SD) | $100,000 + $20,000 win? | $21,000 | None | $141,000 |
| Lance Gibson Jr. | King Green | Loss | $30,000–$40,000 | $4,000 | None | $34,000–$44,000 |
Preliminary Card Estimates
| Fighter | Opponent | Result | Estimated Total Earnings (incl. win bonus & Venum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamey-Lyn Horth | Tereza Bleda | Win (TKO, R1) | $50,000–$70,000 |
| Tereza Bleda | Jamey-Lyn Horth | Loss | $20,000–$30,000 |
| Guilherme Pat | Allen Frye Jr. | Win (UD) | $40,000–$60,000 |
| Allen Frye Jr. | Guilherme Pat | Loss | $20,000–$30,000 |
| Luana Santos | Melissa Croden | Win (UD) | $50,000–$70,000 |
| Melissa Croden | Luana Santos | Loss | $20,000–$30,000 |
| Steven Asplund | Sean Sharaf | Win (TKO, R2) | $60,000–$100,000 (likely incl. $50k bonus) |
| Sean Sharaf | Steven Asplund | Loss | $20,000–$40,000 |
| Joanderson Brito | Isaac Thomson | Win (UD) | $60,000–$80,000 |
| Isaac Thomson | Joanderson Brito | Loss | $20,000–$30,000 |
| Yaroslav Amosov | Neil Magny | Win (Sub, R1) | $80,000–$120,000 |
| Neil Magny | Yaroslav Amosov | Loss | $100,000–$120,000 |
Notes:
- Headliner purses are significantly higher for top contenders on Fight Nights.
- Bonuses: Confirmed $50k each to Kape and Vallejos; reports suggest additional ones likely went to standout prelim finishers like Asplund.
- These do not include potential sponsorships, discretionary incentives, or deductions (taxes, management fees).
- Official NSAC disclosures will provide exact base/show and win figures when released.
Final Thoughts: A Perfect Send-Off to the ESPN Era
UFC on ESPN 73 felt like a fitting farewell to an era defined by accessibility, action-heavy cards, and rising talent.
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Manel Kape may be one win away from UFC gold
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Kevin Vallejos and Melquizael Costa look like future stars
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Yaroslav Amosov could shake up welterweight fast
As the UFC moves toward a new broadcast chapter in 2026, this event reminded fans why Fight Nights still matter — not for spectacle alone, but for careers being made and divisions being reshaped.
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