UFC Fight Night predictions: Full prelim, main card picks for Kape-Almabayev
It’s an APEX Card this Saturday as the UFC hosts another Fight Night in their warehouse in Las Vegas.Assuming no last minute pull-outs, this weekend’s card will feature 12 fights and five on the main card.Just five of the 12 fights are expected to end inside the distance (by knockout or submission), which is quite the changeup from last week, considering eight of 12 fights ended inside the distance in Seattle.Last week, as we do we every week at NYPost.com, we picked every the whole card on the prelims and main card, going 6-4 while also nailing a underdog win on Ricky Simon (+200).We look to keep the good times rolling Saturday ahead of UFC Fight Night, with the entire card airing on ESPN+ beginning at 4 p.m.ET.This main event was originally going to feature Brandon Royval against Manel Kape, but Asu Almabayev is now slated to jump in on semi-short notice.Almabayev was already on the prelims of this card, so his placement isn’t completely random.
Kape is perhaps the best athlete in the Flyweight division, with striking his strong suit and takedowns what he is looking to avoid.Kape defends takedowns at a 77 percent clip, the eighth-best figure in UFC history, while Almabayev will certainly attempt to push the pace with his cardio and tire out his opponent.It’s not the worst strategy either, as Kape’s high-twitch athleticism gives him both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to fitness.I’m not expecting Kape to pull off a late TKO in this fight, and Almabayev’s striking defense impressed me when looking back at his recent bout.Bet on this one to go to decision at -134 odds at FanDuel.PICK: Fight goes to decision (-134, FanDuel)These two are kill-or-be-killed fighters.Julian Marquez is a well-rounded competitor who has done well in the UFC, completing knockouts and submissions throughout his career.Cody Brundage comes in as the underdog Saturday, but I like him to take home the victory .Marquez has been a long layoff and looked terrible the las...