This article recaps UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape, held on December 13, 2025, the final UFC event of the year and the last under the U.S. ESPN broadcast agreement. Beyond simply closing the calendar, the night delivered a decisive flyweight result that reshaped contender momentum and set the tone for the division heading into 2026.

Event Overview — UFC Vegas 112 at the UFC Apex

UFC Vegas 112 took place on December 13, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, serving as the UFC’s final event of the year. The card featured 12 total bouts split between the prelims and the main card, with multiple finishes and performance-defining moments across divisions. As the final UFC broadcast under the current U.S. ESPN deal, the event carried added historical significance.

The Apex setting once again emphasized precision, conditioning, and composure, rewarding fighters who could impose their game without relying on crowd momentum. With divisional implications spread throughout the card, the event felt structured to deliver closure, especially at flyweight.

Main Event Result — Manel Kape Stops Brandon Royval in Round One

The flyweight headliner ended abruptly when Manel Kape defeated Brandon Royval by TKO (punches) at 3:18 of Round 1. From the opening exchange, Kape pressed forward with intent, using low kicks and tight boxing to disrupt Royval’s rhythm. Once Royval’s back touched the fence, Kape landed a clean right hand that dropped him, followed by unanswered strikes that forced the stoppage.

The finish marked Kape’s third consecutive victory by stoppage, a critical detail given the depth of the flyweight division. Ending the year with a first-round TKO in a main event amplified the statement, particularly after the fight had been rescheduled twice earlier in 2025.

Royval’s Path to December and the Consequences of the Loss

Brandon Royval entered the fight with a professional record of 17 wins and 8 losses, having remained a fixture near the top of the flyweight rankings. His 2025 schedule was derailed when the original March 1 booking against Kape was canceled due to concussion-related issues, forcing him to step away at a critical moment.

The loss at UFC Vegas 112 represented just the second knockout defeat of Royval’s career, making it a particularly significant setback. After enduring a year marked by delays and recovery, the December result reset his short-term trajectory, likely pushing him toward a rebuilding phase as the division turns the page to 2026.

Kape’s Redemption Arc After the June Withdrawal

Manel Kape’s performance carried additional weight given his own interrupted 2025. After the fight was rebooked for June, Kape withdrew due to a foot injury, halting his momentum and postponing a critical opportunity to climb the rankings. Foot injuries are especially problematic for fighters who rely on speed, stance switching, and explosive entries.

By delivering a first-round finish in December, Kape effectively erased doubts about timing and readiness. The performance reframed his year from one of delays to one of decisive closure, positioning him as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers heading into the new season.

A Fight Defined by Its Long Road to the Cage

Royval vs. Kape was first scheduled for March 1, 2025, then rebooked for June, before finally materializing on December 13. The two cancellations—first due to Royval’s concussions, then due to Kape’s foot injury—turned what should have been a routine contender bout into a year-long unresolved narrative.

That context shaped how the fight was received. When the bout finally happened, it wasn’t viewed as just another Fight Night main event, but as the resolution of unfinished business that had lingered over the flyweight division for an entire year.

Flyweight Implications of Kape’s First-Round Finish

With the win, Manel Kape improved his professional record to 22 wins and 7 losses, strengthening his position among the division’s elite. The manner of victory mattered as much as the result itself: a clean, decisive finish in a five-round main event slot is exactly the type of performance that accelerates title consideration.

As the UFC heads into 2026, Kape’s name now sits firmly in the conversation for either a title eliminator or a direct championship opportunity, depending on matchmaking needs and availability at the top of the division.

Betting Interest and Fan Engagement on the Final Card

The stakes surrounding the final UFC card of the year generated significant attention from fans and bettors alike. A long-awaited main event with clear divisional consequences tends to draw early wagering activity, especially when the matchup promises resolution rather than speculation.

Many U.S. fans closing out the year with the UFC card also looked to enhance the experience by leveraging a Caesars promo code when placing bets on the high-stakes flyweight main event, adding another layer of engagement to an already consequential night.

Performance Bonuses and Standout Moments

The UFC awarded $50,000 performance bonuses to fighters who delivered exceptional finishes. Manel Kape earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his first-round TKO in the main event, while Kevin Vallejos received the same honor for his co-main event knockout victory. Steven Asplund vs. Sean Sharaf earned Fight of the Night, also receiving $50,000 each.

These bonuses reflected the event’s emphasis on decisive action and memorable moments, reinforcing its reputation as a strong year-ending card.

Closing the ESPN Era With a Definitive Statement

UFC Vegas 112 marked the final UFC event broadcast under the U.S. ESPN deal, adding historical context to every result on the card. Broadcast transitions often redefine promotional narratives, and the UFC ensured this era ended with a clear, highlight-reel finish in the main event.

Kape’s knockout of Royval now stands as the final headlining moment of the ESPN era, a distinction that adds long-term visibility to the performance beyond its immediate divisional impact.

The Flyweight Division’s Outlook Heading Into 2026

With Royval vs. Kape finally settled, the flyweight division enters 2026 with greater clarity. Kape’s momentum, built on consecutive finishes and capped by a main-event TKO, positions him as a leading contender moving forward. Royval, meanwhile, faces a recalibration period after a difficult year defined by health setbacks and a decisive loss.

The result accomplished exactly what the division needed: separation. By closing 2025 with resolution rather than uncertainty, the UFC set the stage for a streamlined flyweight title picture in the year ahead.

A Fight Night That Delivered Closure and Direction

UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape succeeded as both a conclusion and a turning point. It resolved a matchup delayed by concussions and injury, delivered a definitive main-event finish, and clarified the flyweight hierarchy heading into 2026. As the final UFC card of 2025 and the last under the ESPN banner, the event achieved rare alignment between timing, stakes, and outcome—making it a fitting finale to the year.