UFC Vegas 112 Results: Brandon Royval vs Manel Kape

Manel Kape wasted no time in cementing his status as the next top contender in the UFC flyweight division, scoring a spectacular first-round knockout over Brandon Royval in the UFC Vegas 112 main event. The fight, which lasted just over four minutes, saw Kape drop Royval with a devastating right hook before the referee intervened at 3:18 of the opening round.

The victory represents a seismic shift in the 125-pound title picture. With the win, Kape is now the frontrunner to challenge the newly crowned champion, Joshua Van, for the UFC flyweight championship early in 2026. The bout also effectively removed Royval from immediate title contention following his loss to the now-former champion, Alexandre Pantoja, last December.

Fight Breakdown: A “Starboy” Statement

From the opening bell, Manel “Starboy” Kape implemented a high-pressure strategy against the notoriously aggressive Royval. He controlled the centre of the Octagon at the UFC APEX, cutting off angles and landing the more impactful shots early. The finishing sequence began with Kape feinting a jab, causing Royval to dip directly into a thunderous right hook that landed clean on the chin.

Royval crashed to the canvas, and while he showed a brief moment of recovery, Kape followed with precise ground strikes until referee Herb Dean waved off the contest. The knockout was Kape’s third consecutive win and arguably the most significant of his UFC career, showcasing the elite power that makes him a unique threat in the division.

The New Title Picture: Kape vs. Van

The knockout dramatically clarifies the championship landscape. Joshua Van was crowned the new champion at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja was forced to vacate the title due to a serious injury. In the wake of his victory, Van immediately called for fresh challenges, stating he wanted to “bring honour back to the flyweight division.”

In his post-fight interview, Kape left no doubt about his intentions. “My next fight is for the belt… There is no other fight for me. Joshua Van, I am coming for you,” he declared. The matchup presents a classic striker vs. striker showdown, with both men known for their finishing ability and entertaining styles. The UFC is expected to target the first quarter of 2026 for this championship bout.

UFC Vegas 112: Full Card Results

Main Card

• Flyweight Main Event: Manel Kape def. Brandon Royval via KO (punches) – Round 1, 3:18
• Featherweight: Kevin Vallejos def. Giga Chikadze via KO (spinning backfist and elbows) – Round 2, 1:29
• Middleweight: Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. César Almeida via Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
• Featherweight: Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charrière via KO (head kick) – Round 1, 1:14
• Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha ended in a Draw (unanimous) (28–28, 28–28, 28–28) [Nzechukwu deducted 1 point for an eye poke]
• Catchweight (160 lb): King Green def. Lance Gibson Jr. via Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)

Preliminary Card

• Welterweight: Yaroslav Amosov def. Neil Magny via Submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 3:14
• Featherweight: Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson via Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
• Heavyweight: Steven Asplund def. Sean Sharaf via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:49
• Women’s Bantamweight: Luana Santos def. Melissa Croden via Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)
• Heavyweight: Guilherme Pat def. Allen Frye via Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
• Women’s Flyweight: Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Tereza Bledá via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:05

Bonus Awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses:

• Fight of the Night: Steven Asplund vs. Sean Sharaf
• Performance of the Night: Manel Kape and Kevin Vallejos

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