Height, weight, and reach are three key factors that often influence a fighter’s strength and performance—assuming they’re competing in the same weight class, of course. After all, you wouldn’t pit Alexandre Pantoja against Jon Jones, would you? Until and unless you wanna relive Rome’s gladiatorial maulings. However, even within a division, fighters can vary in size, as long as they stay within the weight limit. And in many cases, when skill levels are comparable, the taller and heavier fighter tends to have the edge.
So, how do top 125fers like Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev stack up in this department? Before the Portuguese powerhouse steps into the Octagon against the rising Kazakh star at UFC Fight Night 253, let’s break down the stats and see who holds the physical advantage. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev height and reach comparison
‘Zulfikar’ stands 5’4” tall and has a reach of 65 inches. Being a well-balanced fighter, even though he’s more of a grappler, Almabayev has a striking accuracy of 56% and lands about 2.11 significant strikes every minute. But once the Khazikh mixed marital artist finds his way into his opponent’s guard, he doesn’t usually waste any time in taking the fight to the ground. With a takedown accuracy of 50% and 9 of his 21 wins coming from submissions, why would he choose a different path anyway?
But ‘Starboy’, on the other hand, measures up to 5’5” with an extended reach of 68 inches. Kape has a similar striking accuracy as that of the #8 flyweight contender. However, the Portuguese fighter loves to send a massive barrage of strikes. Well, he tends to land 5.05 significant strikes every passing minute. With his better reach, an inch of extra height, and a higher magnitude of strikes, the former Rizin champ would enter the arena with an advantage if the fight continued on foot.
But in case Almabayev managed to break Kape’s guard, he would surely deploy his superior ground game and take control. When the fight is on the ground, a fighter needs to rely on 2 things other than technique and skills, and they are their body weight and stamina that they carry. But how far does their weight difference go?
Who weighs more, Kape or Almabayev?
Almabayev weighs about 125.5 pounds, while Kape’s last weigh-in pushed the scale by 125 pounds. Needless to say, with his skills in grappling, Almabayev can manage his weight in a way that can garner him a win over Kape. And that’s because even a slighter advantage in weight can help drain out his opponent’s energy faster once they enter the ground game. On top of that, the Kazakh is a grinding wrestler with a huge gas tank. That’s the reason why he has outlasted most of his opponents and won 9 fights via decision. All he needs to do is close in, take Kape down, and pummel him there.
But that’s the scenario for when ‘Zulfikar’ closes in. ‘Starboy’ is an elite when it comes to striking. The #6 flyweight contender has won 12 out of 20 wins via KO/TKO. His punches carry the power to knock his opponents out cold. But at the end of the day, it all depends on how the fight proceeds. And we would have to wait for Saturday night to find out who wins.
Who do you think would win between Asu Almabayev and Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 103? Do you think the Kazakh’s heavier frame can help him win the bout? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
The post UFC Vegas 103: Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev Height, Reach & Walk Around Weight Comparison appeared first on EssentiallySports.
