UFC on ESPN 73 live results: Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape
The final UFC event of 2025, as well as the final event for the UFC on ESPN as their media rights deal comes to an end, sees UFC On ESPN 73 take place inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The main event is a five-round bout in the flyweight division that could see potential title shot implications as former title challenger Brandon Royval battles Manel Kape. Royval is coming off a loss to new flyweight champion Joshua Van in an incredible fight in June, and is looking to break back into the win column. Kape has won two straight fights.
In the co-main event, 15th-ranked Giga Chikadze battles Kevin Vallejos in featherweight action. Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between Cesar Almeida and Cezary Oleksiejczuk; a featherweight fight pitting Melquizael Costa against Morgan Charriere; and a catchweight fight between long-time veteran King Green and former Bellator fighter Lance Gibson Jr. in his UFC debut.
On the prelims, an intriguing name is making his UFC debut as former Bellator Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov, sporting a 28-1 record, debuts against the all-time wins leader in the UFC welterweight division, Neil Magny.
UPDATE: A women’s strawweight bout between Amanda Lemos and Gillian Robertson has been scratched from the card due to a medical issue for Lemos.
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> Women’s Flyweights- Jamey-Lyn Horth (8-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Tereza Bleda (7-1, 1-1 UFC)
They both look to land and Bleda looks for a takedown, but Horth defends and they start trading at a distance. Bleda shoots for a takedown against the fence but Horth is defending. They end up separating and Horth is landing big shots and Bleda is in a lot of trouble. Horth continues to land big and Bleda looks like she is going out and it is stopped! What a finish from Horth!
Fight Result- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Tereza Bleda by TKO (punches) at 2:05 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- Allen Frye (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Guilherme Pat (5-0, 0-0 UFC)
They clinch right up as Frye pushes Pat against the fence and lands an elbow. Frye with some elbows and knees agains the fence. Pat lands an elbow with his back on the fence and they separate. Pat lands a combination. Pat lands a big combo and Frye is already cut open under his eye. Pat with a left hook to the body followed by a right hand. They trade and Frye pushes it against the fence and lands some knees. They break apart and Pat lands a stiff right hand. Pat lands at the end. 10-9 Pat.
They trade and Pat lands a big right hand before they clinch. Pat with an elbow. They separate and Pat lands a left hand then a double jab followed by a right hand. They tie back up and Frye pushes it to the fence. Pat gets the underhooks but Frye pushes him back against the fence. Frye with a short uppercut but he is mostly just leaning on Pat as they break apart. Frye lands the jab. Pat with a left hand. Pat lands a big combination. Frye looks for a takedown but Pat is defending. They break apart. Pat lands a leg kick. 10-9 Pat, 20-18 Pat.
Pat lands some big shots to start the round and has Frye in trouble. Pat is pouring it on with right hands and Frye is able to get the clinch. They’re just holding onto each other though Frye lands a couple of knees. They separate. They immediately clinch right back up. Pat lands a pair of short right hooks from in the clinch. Pat lands an elbow as they break and Frye lands a short left hand. Pat lands a big combo and Frye immediately grabs ahold of him and they go to the fence. Frye with some knees and they break apart. Pat lands some big shots and a knee to the body as they tie right back up. Pat with a left hand and an elbow. 10-9 Pat, 30-27 Pat.
Fight Result- Guilherme Pat def. Allen Frye by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Women’s Bantamweights- Melissa Croden (7-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. #15 Luana Santos (9-2, 4-1 UFC)
They trade leg kicks and Croden connects with a pair of right hands. Santos lands a heavy calf kick and a right hand. Santos looks for a takedown and both land a knee, but Santos is able to score the takedown and has the scarf hold against the fence. Croden looking for the back and she has it as Santos lets go of the neck. They separate to the center. Croden lands a combo followed by a heavy body kick. Santos grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. They trade knees. 10-9 Croden.
They trade jabs and Croden lands a body kick as Santos was looking for a spinning attack. They trade inside the pocket. Santos grabs the body lock as Croden is pushing away, but they go to the fence. Croden with some short punches. Santos is trying for the takedown but Croden is defending and landing short punches. Santos gets a takedown. Santos is trying to pass guard but Croden is keeping her in the guard. Santos with some elbows to the body from the half-guard. Croden gets Santos back inside of her guard. They both land on the mat. Santos attacks the leg late. 10-9 Santos, 19-19.
Croden lands a head kick that Santos blocks. Croden with an inside leg kick and lands before Santos gets the clinch against the fence. They separate and Croden lands a combination. Santos quickly grabs the head and scores a takedown. Santos has head control and lands a pair of punches. Santos with some more punches as she keeps the head lock locked on. Santos keeps it locked on and is applying lots of pressure. Santos lands some more punches. 10-9 Santos, 29-28 Santos.
Fight Result- Luana Santos def. Melissa Croden by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Heavyweights- Sean Sharaf (4-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Steven Asplund (6-1, 0-0 UFC)
They’re both landing big shots early as Sharaf lands a left hand and Asplund lands some right hands. Sharaf lands a big right hand. Asplund lands a jab as Sharaf lands a leg kick. Asplund with a heavy leg kick. They trade right hands in the pocket. Sharaf lands a right hand. Asplund lands a big right hand and they both land in close range. Sharaf lands a combo. Asplund with a hard calf kick. They trade punches. Sharaf with a small flurry and Asplund lands a big right hand. Sharaf is cut open between the eyes. Asplund lands a right hand. Asplund lands some big shots. Sharaf with a left hand. He lands to the body but his face is a mess. Asplund with a right hand followed by a big uppercut. Asplund rocks Sharaf with a left hand and starts landing but backs away. Asplund slips on a kick. Asplund lands a combo late. 10-9 Asplund.
Asplund working the jab to start the round. Sharaf lands a big right hand and they trade against the fence. Sharaf’s face remains a mess. He shoots for a takedown but misses by a mile. Asplund with a series of shots. They trade big shots inside the pocket. Asplund with a big combo. Asplund lands but then lands a big groin strike on Sharaf and time out is called. They get back to action. Asplund lands a jab and Sharaf lands a right hand. They are both wearing Sharaf’s blood. Asplund hurts Sharaf with a right hand. Asplund landing against the fence but Sharaf fires back with some big shots. Asplund pouring on the volume against the fence. Asplund lands some clean shots and Sharaf is on shaky legs. Asplund with a big right hand and some more punches. Asplund is landing lots of shots and he finally ends it with a big right hand! What a finish from Asplund!
Fight Result- Steven Asplund def. Sean Sharaf by TKO (punches) at 3:49 of Round 2
> Featherweights- Joanderson Brito (17-5-1, 5-3 UFC) vs. Isaac Thomson (9-2, 0-0 UFC)
Thomson with a body kick. Thomson catches a Brito leg kick and lands a right hand as they go down to the mat. Brito with an elbow from the bottom as Thomson takes the back. They stand with Thomson on the back and he lands a knee. Thomson lands some left hands from the back. Thomson trying to get the hooks in as they go back down to the mat. Thomson loses position as they scramble up and Brito now has the back of Thomson. Thomson with some back elbows as Brito lands some knees. Brito picks Thomson up and slams him down but they scramble and Thomson scores a takedown. They stand and Brito gets another big slam takedown. He has the back but Thomson slips out on to the top position. They get up. Brito with some knees as they roll to the mat and Brito lands a hammerfist at the end. 10-9 Thomson.
They trade kicks and Brito tries a spin attack but Thomson ducks under and scores a takedown. They scramble and end up back on the feet where Brito lands a right hand before grabbing the body. Brito lets go and they separate. Thomson lands a body kick. Thomson lands an uppercut. Thomson shoots for a takedown but Brito defends. They trade and Thomson lands a left hand. Brito grabs the neck and is looking for a D’Arce choke. Thomson is able to escape and takes the back of Brito as they get to their feet. Brito reverses and has the back and lands some knees. Brito trips Thomson to the mat and lands a right hand. Brito has the body triangle lockedon the back and is working. Brito looks for a choke but has it across the chin and lets go. 10-9 Brito, 19-19.
Brito with a pair of heavy leg kicks. Brito with a right hand as Thomson throws a head kick. Thomson lands a body kick. Brito lands a body kick. Brito with a small flurry. Brito lands to the body against the fence and he’s pouring on the pressure as Thomson is circling around. Brito looks for a takedown against the fence. Thomson is landing elbows to the side of the head to defend. Brito has the back as they stand and lands some knees. Brito drags it down for a brief moment and maintains back control as they stand. Brito has body control as Thomson lands little elbows and looks to attack the arm. Brito drags it to the mat and hops to the back, but they scramble up. Brito continues to pressure against the fence. 10-9 Brito, 29-28 Brito.
Fight Result- Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Welterweights- Neil Magny (31-13, 24-12 UFC) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (28-1, 0-0 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Magny with a front kick. They trade as Amosov lands a pair of kicks. Amosov grabs the back and they go to the fence. They break and trade some punches. Amosov grabs the body lock and goes to the fence and scores the takedown. Amosov right into top half-guard. Amosov lands from the top. Amosov trying to trap an arm as he lands. Amosov looks for an anaconda choke and has it locked in. Magny taps! Amosov picks up the impressive win in his UFC debut.
Fight Result- Yaroslav Amosov def. Neil Magny by submission (anaconda choke) at 3:14 of Round 1
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> 160-pound Catchweights- King Green (32-17-1 1 NC, 13-12-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Lance Gibson Jr. (9-1, 0-0 UFC)
Gibson Jr. lands some leg kicks as Green connects with some punches. Gibson Jr. with a high kick. Green lands a left hand. Green with a combination. Green lands a body kick. Green lands a body kick. Gibson Jr. lands a body kick. They trade left hooks. Gibson Jr. lands a leg kick and fakes a takedown attempt as Green is trash talking. Green with a combination. Green lands a front kick and a right hand. Gibson Jr. with a knee in a brief clinch. 10-9 Green.
Green lands a left hand that trips Gibson Jr. up. Gibson Jr. gets up and lands a pair of leg kicks. They trade in close range and Green lands a groin strike and time out is called. They get back going after almost a two-minute break. Green lands a body kick. Green with a head kick that Gibson Jr. blocks. They trade and Gibson Jr. scores a takedown. Gibson Jr. is in side control and controlling the head. They scramble and Gibson Jr. has back control as they stand. Gibson Jr. with some knees and foot stomps and he attacks the single leg, but Green defends and they separate. They trade right hands. Green lands a left hand. Green with a combination. Gibson Jr. lands a leg kick. They trade as Green connects with a right hand. 10-9 Gibson Jr., 19-19.
They trade leg kicks. Gibson Jr. lands a body kick. Green lands a leg kick. Gibson Jr. with a high kick. Gibson Jr. scores a takedown. Green is able to force a scramble up almost immediately. Green lands a right hand. Green connects with a combination ending with a big left hand. Green lands a combination. Green with a leg kick then a combo. Gibson Jr. lands a leg kick but Green catches it and scores a takedown. Green with some body shots from the top. Green with hammerfists from the top. 10-9 Green, 29-28 Green.
Fight Result- King Green def. Lance Gibson Jr. by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-6, 8-6 UFC) vs. Marcus Buchecha (5-2, 0-1 UFC)
Nzechukwu lands a leg kick and Buchecha gets it down and looks for a leg lock. They get up and Buchecha gets it back down, but they get right back up. They clinch against the fence and Nzechukwu lands a knee to the groin and time out is called. They get back going and tie back up and Buchecha gets a takedown and attacks the legs, but they get up. Nzechukwu lands some big shots and Buchecha ends up going down. 10-9 Nzechukwu.
They get going and Nzechukwu lands an eye poke and time out is called. Nzechukwu has a point taken away. They get back going and Buchecha gets it back down and has the back. He ends up getting the mount and starts landing elbows from the top. Buchecha with lots of shots from the top as Nzechukwu is covering up. Buchecha is attacking the arm and looking for an armbar late but time runs out. 10-8 Buchecha, 19-18 Buchecha.
Buchecha immediately goes for a takedown and grabs the back. They get to the mat and Buchecha is still attacking the back. They are scrambling around on the mat looking for the best position as both land some shots. Nzechukwu landing from the back as the fight ends. Weird fight. 10-9 Nzechukwu, 28-28.
Fight Result- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha ends in a unanimous draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
> Featherweights- Melquizael Costa (24-7, 5-2 UFC) vs. Morgan Charriere (21-11-1, 3-2 UFC)
Costa lands a big body kick. Charriere lands a pair of leg kicks. Costa then lands a flush head kick that puts Charriere down and out and it is all over! Massive finish by Costa!
Fight Result- Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charriere by knockout (head kick) at 1:14 of Round 1
> Middleweights- Cesar Almeida (7-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk (16-3, 0-0 UFC)
Almeida with some leg kicks. They trade body kicks and Oleksiejczuk scores a takedown right into the crucifix position. Almeida gets the arm loose but Oleksiejczuk stays on top and is landing while controlling. Almeida looks to roll but Oleksiejczuk is maintaining top control. Oleksiejczuk gets inside the full guard of Almeida and lands some more. They get to their feet against the fence. Oleksiejczuk lands an elbow on the break. 10-9 Oleksiejczuk.
Almeida lands some kicks. Almeida with a hard body kick. He lands another body kick. They trade punches. Almeida lands a big right hand and Oleksiejczuk is able to score a takedown. They get up, but Oleksiejczuk is able to score another takedown. Almeida reverses to the top and lands. Almeida tries to posture up, but he loses his balance and stumbles and Oleksiejczuk gets him back to the mat and lands from side control. Oleksiejczuk lands from the top. 10-9 Oleksiejczuk, 20-18 Oleksiejczuk.
Almeida lands a pair of body kicks but Oleksiejczuk is able to pick him up and score a takedown. Oleksiejczuk landing from the top and he apparently lands a groin strike from the top and time out is called. Oleksiejczuk did land an elbow to the groin, but Almeida also landed an illegal knee to the head on the mat. They are restarted on the feet. Almeida lands, but Oleksiejczuk is able to score a takedown. Oleksiejczuk lands from the half-guard. Oleksiejczuk gets the back and lands. They get to their feet and Almeida drops down for a guillotine choke but Oleksiejczuk escapes and lands from the top. 10-9 Oleksiejczuk, 30-27 Oleksiejczuk.
Fight Result- Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Cesar Almeida by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- #15 Giga Chikadze (15-5, 8-3 UFC) vs. Kevin Vallejos (16-1, 2-0 UFC)
Chikadze with a high kick after they spend a minute feeling each other out. Vallejos lands a leg kick. Chikadze with a body kick. Chikadze lands another body kick then a head kick and a left hand and Vallejos is hurt. They clinch against the fence. They battle for position as Vallejos is controlling. They break free and Chikadze lands a body kick. Chikadze’s shin as a cut open and a hole in it from landing the kicks. They trade kicks and Vallejos lands a right hand. 10-9 Chikadze.
Vallejos lands a body kick. Chikadze lands a body kick then a high kick. Chikadze lands a front kick. Vallejos lands a right hand that stuns Chikadze and then tees off and drops Chikadze with a spinning back fist and some elbows from the top end it! Big finish for Vallejos!
Fight Result- Kevin Vallejos def. Giga Chikadze by knockout (strikes) at 1:29 of Round 2
> Flyweights- #2 Brandon Royval (17-8, 7-4 UFC) vs. #6 Manel Kape (21-7, 6-3 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Royval with a right hook. Kape lands a leg kick. Royval with a body kick. Royval lands a combo. They trade in close range. Royval lands a body kick. Kape with a right hand to the body. Kape lands a big punch that drops Royval and Kape lands a big shot that put Royval out and a follow-up shot woke him back up and it is stopped! Royval got up protesting but he was out and Kape picks up the big win.
Fight Result- Manel Kape def. Brandon Royval by TKO (punches) at 3:18 of Round 1
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