Despite facing some hiccups, UFC Vegas 103 pressed on this Saturday. The day wasn’t without its challenges, as two fights were scratched at the last minute during weigh-ins.
What fans were left with was a 10-fight lineup. Among the roster, apart from the spotlight on main event flyweights Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev, perhaps Andrea “KGB” Lee was the standout. Lee, who had been struggling with a five-fight losing streak, fell to JJ Aldrich via decision. This result might be signaling her exit from the promotion. This card highlighted a recurring issue: some UFC Fight Night events are missing the star power, an absence even more glaring when WWE, another TKO Group brand, was hosting a Pay-Per-View just up north in Toronto.
Yet, the show went on. It had a slow start until heavyweight newcomer Mario Pinto, from the UK and a former participant on Dana White’s Contender Series, clashed with Austen Lane. Lane initially seemed in control, having Pinto on the ropes in the first round. But then the tide turned dramatically in the second round. Pinto delivered a thunderous right hand that sent Lane to the mat, leaving him metaphorically counting the stars and wondering just how the proverbial truck had thundered into the octagon.
Fortunately, Lane emerged without serious injury. And Pinto? He left with a cool $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Manel Kape also took home a $50,000 bonus after overcoming Asu Almabayev via TKO in the main event, a bout slightly tainted by a few unacknowledged eye pokes. Still, Kape was clearly ahead throughout the fight.
The Fight of the Night honors went to the nail-biting clash between Nasrat Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics. Haqparast edged out his rival with a split decision victory.
Each of the four fighters who earned bonuses walked away with an extra $50,000, which was in addition to their regular fight earnings, including show and win money, as well as any outfitting pay they received.
