Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape, UFC on ESPN 73 faceoff

UFC on ESPN 73 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage and official results.

UFC on ESPN 73 went down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with the entire card airing on ESPN2 and streaming on ESPN+.

In the headliner, one-time flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval (17-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC) took on Manel Kape (21-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC). In the co-feature, Giga Chikadze (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) met Kevin Vallejos (17-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at featherweight.

Check out below our round-by-round updates and official results:

UFC on ESPN 73 lineup

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Manel Kape def. Brandon Royval via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:18
  • Kevin Vallejos def. Giga Chikadze via KO (spinning back fist) – Round 2, 1:29
  • Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Cesar Almeida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charriere via KO (head-kick) – Round 1, 1:14
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs.. Marcus Buchecha ends in a draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
  • King Green def. Lance Gibson Jr. via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Yaroslav Amosov def. Neil Magny via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 3:14
  • Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Steven Asplund def. Sean Sharaf via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:49
  • Luana Santos def. Melissa Croden via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Guilherme Pat def. Allen Frye Jr. via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Tereza Bleda via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:05

Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape

Round 1 – Leg kick by Kape. Kape immediately walking down Royval. They trade leg kicks. Double jab by Royval. Royval with a leg kick. Another one. Kape with a leg kick of his own. Kape has caughta couple of kicks from Royval, but has yet to fire back on them. Two leg kicks connect for Royval. Two minutes left. Oh! Hige right hand by Kape! Royval is out! What a KO.

  • Result: Manel Kape def. Brandon Royval via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:18
  • Recap: Manel Kape earns quick TKO, calls for title
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Kape (22-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC), Royval (17-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
  • Division: Flyweight
  • Referee: Herb Dean

Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos

Round 1 – Leg kick by Vallejos. Both fighters being very cautious. Big shot from Vallejos after Chikadze slips on a kick. Vallejos catches a kick from Chikadze, and tries to land one of his own. Oh! Solid body kick by Chikadze. Chikadze is bleeding from his shin, probably from one of the kicks. Vallejos presses him against the cage. Chikadze breaks free and land another body kick. Right hand connects for Vallejos. Chikadze with another body kick. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Chikadze.

Round 2 – Vallejos is shelling up that body a lot. Leg kick by Vallejos. Right hand connects for Vallejos! Oh! Another shot! Spining a back first from Vallejos drops Chikadze! It's over!

  • Result: Kevin Vallejos def. Giga Chikadze via KO (spinning back fist) – Round 2, 1:29
  • Recap: Kevin Vallejos becomes first to KO Giga Chikadze
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Vallejos (17-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Chikadze (15-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC)
  • Division: Featherweight
  • Referee: Mark Smith

Cesar Almeida vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Round 1 – Oleksiejczuk pressing Almeida. Both guys being very cautious. Leg kick by Almeida. Body kick by Almeira, and then a leg kick. Oleksiejczuk backing up now and not throwing a much. Oleksiejczuk ducks under a shot from Almeida and takes him down. He immediately moves to side control. Short shots by Oleksiejczuk. Almeida recovers guard. Almeira now recovers guard. Short shots by Oleksiejczuk. Almeida gets back to his feet by the cage. Oleksiejczuk controls. Almeida escapes. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Oleksiejczuk.

Round 2 – Body kick by Almeida. Almeida seems the more threatening striker so far. Jab by Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk sticking and moveing here. Big connectuon by Almeida! Oleksiejczuk shoots and gets the takedown. Almeira getsb ack to his feet, but is being pressed against the cage. Big takdown from Oleksiejczuk! Oleksiejczuk moves to half guard. Short shots by Oleksiejczuk. Oh! Almeida reverses him and is now on top. Oleksiejczuk pushes off Almeida and reverses him! Oleksiejczuk in side control here. Short shots by Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk recovers half guard. More short shots by Oleksiejczuk. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Oleksiejczuk.

Round 3 – Body kick by Almeida. Oleksiejczuk shoots for a takedown and gets it! Oleksiejczuk working from side control. Short shots land for Oleksiejczuk. More short shots by Oleksiejczuk. An elbow lands illegally in the groin for Oleksiejczuk. The fight is paused. Almeida is goven time to recover. The fight resumes on the fight, Oleksiejczuk loses his top position for it. Almost immeidately, Oleksiejczukshoots for a takedown and gets it. Short shots from both. Oleksiejczuk working from half guard. Very unconsecuential shots from Oleksiejczuk. Mainly just control for Oleksiejczuk. One minute left. Not much going on. Almeida gets back to his feet, Oleksiejczuk conrols him against the cage. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Oleksiejczuk. Overall 30-27, Oleksiejczuk.

  • Result: Cezary Oleksiejczuk def. Cesar Almeida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Oleksiejczuk (17-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Almeida (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
  • Division: Middleweight
  • Referee: Kerry Hatley
  • Judging: Mike Bell, Eric Colon, Junichiro Kamijo: 30-27

Morgan Charriere vs. Melquizael Costa

Round 1 – Both fighters being very tentative here. Costa pressing the action here. Charriere looking to move and counter. Oh! Nasty head kick from Costa puts down Charriere! It's over! What a kick!

  • Result: Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charriere via KO (head-kick) – Round 1, 1:14
  • Recap: Melquizael Costa closes 4-0 year with vicious KO
  • Photos: Photos: UFC on ESPN 73 scorecards
  • Records: Costa (25-7 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Charriere (21-12-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
  • Division: Featherweight
  • Referee: Eric McMahon

Marcus Buchecha vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu

Round 1 – Buchecha tries to tie up Nzechukwu and fails. Nzechukwu pressing here. Both guys very patient. Buchecha takes down Nzechukwu! He goes for a heel hook after a failed back take! It doesn't look tight. Nzechukwu escapes! They scramble and Buchecha presses Nzechukwu against the cage. Buchecha gets the takedown and gets the back of Nzechukwu. Nzechukwu escapes, gets back to his feet, but Buchecha controls him against the cage. Nzechukwu reverses the position. Knee to the groin connects for Nzechukwu and the fight is paused. Buchecha is in pain. After a minute break the fight resumes, no point taken for Nzechukwu. Buchecha gos straight for the takedown! He pulls guard, but ends in a bad spot. They scramble back to their feet. Knee connects for Nzechukwu! Buchecha is hurt! Punches from Nzechukwu! Buchecha goes to his back. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Nzechukwu.

Round 2 – Nzechukwu putting the pressure on Buchecha. Buchecha shoots and appareltly gets eye poked. He goes to his back in pain. The fight is paused. The replay confirms the eye poke. The doctor comes in and checks on Buchecha. After almost a three minute break, the fight resumes. A point is taken from Nzechukwu. Left hand connects for Nzechukwu. Buchecha shoots and gets Nzechukwu against the cage. Buchecha has him tied up, and is looking to take his back while standing. Some shots in the clinch from Buchecha and they break free. Combo from Nzechukwu. Buchecha shoots and gets a blast double! He immediately takes the back of Nzechukwu. We're halfway through the round. Nzechukwu escapes from the back, but he's now mounted. Big elbows from Buchecha! More shots! This is looking close to getting stopped! Nzechukwu is taking tons of shots here! Buchecha now going for an armbar! Nzechukwu handing on! The bell rings!

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Buchecha.

Round 3 – Buchecha immediately shoots for a takedown! Buchecha falls to his back, hoping to trip Nzechukwu, but ends on bottom. They're in a weird leg entaglement with Nzechukwu on top while part of his back. isexposed to Buchecha. Oh! Nasty elbows from Nzechukwu! More elbows! Buchecha now gets to theback of Nzechukwu, but doesn't have any hooks in. Nzechukwu gets back to his feet, but Buchecha presses him against the cage. Buchecha dives for a leg, ends on a bad position and eats some big shots from Nzechukwu! Buchecha gets the leg and is now attempting a knee bar! Thigh shots from Nzechukwu. Buchecha's left eye is a mess. Nzechukwu now gets the back of Buchecha! Big shots from Nzechukwu! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Nzechukwu. Overall 28-28.

  • Result: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha ends in a draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Buchecha (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Nzechukwu (14-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC)
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • Referee: Herb Dean
  • Judging: Mike Bell, Ron McCarthy, Tony Weeks: 28-28.

Lance Gibson Jr. vs. King Green

Round 1 – Very hard leg kicks here by Gibson Jr.. Green with his typical stance, keeping his lands low. Green doing most of the pressuring here. Tons of movement here from Gibson Jr., staying away from Green's power. Nice connection by Gibson Jr.. We're halfway through the round. Gibson Jr. with a body kick. Gibson Jr. attempyts a takedown, butr gets stuffed by Green. Left hook lands for Green. Right hook lands for Green. Very chaotic sequences here. The bell rings. Weird round to score.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Gibson Jr..

Round 2 – Two hard leg kicks from Gibson Jr.. Green is tauting him, and walking him down, but not connecting with a ton. A groin strike from Green halts the action. After a couple of minutes the fight resumes. No point taken for Green. Oh! Big hook turned into a takedown for Gibson Jr.! Gibson Jr. now in side control. Green gets back to his feet, but is being pressed against the cage by Gibson Jr.. Knees to the legs by Gibson Jr.. They break apart. Green has his hands down and keeps tauting Gibson Jr.. One minute left. Green connects on Gibson Jr.. Oh! Big one, two lands for Green! Leg kick from Gibson Jr.. They swing wild in the last few seconds, but neither connects clean.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Gibson Jr..

Round 3 – Close fight here. It could be tied up. Green back to pressing Gibson Jr.. Leg kick from Green. Gibson Jr. is not trowing much here. He's making Green miss because he's backing away, but he's not throwing much. Green keeps taunting him. Takedown from Gibson Jr., but Green immediately scrables to his feet. Nice combo by Green. Gibson Jr. is just backing up, zero offense here. Two minutes left. Oh! Big left hook lands for Green! Gibson Jr. is running. One minute left. Gibson Jr. is coasting here, he might feel he's up in the scorecards, but it's close. Noce connection by Green! Green takes down Gibson Jr.! He lands ground-and-pound. Green working from north-side position. Crazt ground-and-pound by Green! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Green. Overall 29-28, Gibson Jr..

  • Result: King Green def. Lance Gibson Jr. via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Green (33-17-1 MMA, 14-12-1 UFC), Gibson Jr. (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • Division: 160-pound contract weight
  • Referee: Mark Smith
  • Judging: Eric Colon, David Sutherland: 29-28 Junichiro Kamijo: 28-29

Yaroslav Amosov vs. Neil Magny

Round 1 – Leg kick from Magny. Amosov answers with one of his own. Left hook connects for Amosov. Amosov closes the distance on Magny and presses him against the cage. Magny breaks free. Leg kick by Amosov. And again. Amosov presses Magny against the cage. He's trying hard to take him down. Amosov finally gets the takedown! Amosov working from half guard. Some ground-and-pound by Amosov, but Magny doing a good job at defending and tying him up from the bottom. Amosov gets an anaconda choke! Magny taps!

  • Result: Yaroslav Amosov def. Neil Magny via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 3:14
  • Recap: Yaroslav Amosov taps Neil Magny in debut
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Amosov (29-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Magny (31-14 MMA, 24-13 UFC)
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Referee: Herb Dean

Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson

Round 1 – Thomson looking fast. Thomson catches Brito with a shot while off balance and knocks him down to the ground. Thomson jumps right on him. Brito gets back up, but Thomson has him ties up while behind him. Thomson jumps and tries to get the back of Brito. He loses the position, but gets back up. Brito now pressing Thomson against the fence. Two minutes left. Big slam by Brito! They scramble, Thomson takes down Brito. Another scramble and another slam by Brito. Thomson ends on top of Brito here. Brito reverses by the fence, and now presses Thomsom. Brito looking for the takedown. Short elbows by Thomson. Brito controlling by the fence. Brito gets down Thomson. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Thomson.

Round 2 – Body kick by Thomson! Brito takes down Thompson! Thompson with som crazy scrambles. They get back up. Nice combination by Thomson! Thomson is looking good. What a wild fight! Both giys going back and forth in the grappling! Oh! Brito has a D'Arce choke! It looks tight! Thomson gets out! Brito now controlling Thomson by the cage. Knees to the legs by Brito. Brito takes down Thomson. Ground-and-pound by Brito! Brito now takes the back of Thomson and sinks in two hooks. Brito looking for a rear-naked choke, but Thomson is defending well. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Brito.

Round 3 – Brito with immediate pressure. Brito with a right hook! Jab by Thomson. Brito us walking down Thomson, throwing big bombs! Oh! Nasty body shots by Brito! Thomson is feeling them. Brito presses Thomson against the cage, looking for a takedown. Solid short elbows to the head by Thomson. Brito partially takes down Thomson. Thomson is on one knee, definding the takedown. Two minutes left. Thomson gets up, but continues to be pressed against the cage. Knees to the legs by Brito. Not a ton going on. Final minute. Brito just controlling Thomson here against the fence. Brito finally gets the takedown! Thomson scrambles back to his feet. Brito with a takedown. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Brito. Overall 29-28, Brito.

  • Result: Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Brito (17-5-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Thomson (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
  • Division: Welterweight
  • Referee: Eric McMahon
  • Judging: Mike Bell, Adalaide Byrd, Ron McCarthy: 29-28.

Steven Asplund vs. Sean Sharaf

Round 1 – Oh! Asplund swining hard right off the bat! Oh Sharaf connects! These two are swining wild! Left hook lands for Sharaf. Jabs by Asplund. Leg kick by Asplund. Jabs by Asplund. Oh! Asplund with a big left hook. Sharaf is backing up now, he felt the power. Leg kick by Asplund. Sharaf is still game, firing back. Jab to the body Sharaf. Shraf with a nice connection. Asplund fires some big shots. Oh man, Sharf is cut bad on his forehead. A lot of blood. Body shots by Sharaf. Asplund witha quick combo. Asplund is getting momentum here. Sharf with a nice hook to the body! Big uppercut by Asplund. More jabs by Asplund. Man, Shara's face is a mess. Oh! Sharaf gets buckled. Big shots by Asplund! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Asplund.

Round 2 – Sharaf is incredibly tough, man. He's marching foward here. Oh! Clean connection by Sharaf. Asplund answers back. Sharaf fails in a takedown. Man, nasty combo from Asplund! Asplund is picking apart Sharaf here. Asplund is destroying Sharaf's face here. The stoppage seems near. Oh, a low blow from Asplund stops the fight. There's a break. After a couple of minutes, the fight resumes. Jab by Asplund. Sharaf with a nice connection. He picked up a second wind here with the break. Oh! Big shot stuns Sharaf! Asplund is teeing off on Sharaf. He's backing up. The shots are adding up. They need to stop this. Asplund all over Sharaf. It's bad. The referee finally steps in. It's over.

  • Result: Steven Asplund def. Sean Sharaf via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:49
  • Recap: Steven Asplund sets striking record in TKO win
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Asplund (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Sharaf (4-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • Referee: Mark Smith

Melissa Croden vs. Luana Santos

Round 1 – They both trade leg kicks. Counter left hook lands for Santos. Hard leg kick by Santos. They clinch, and Santos hits a head and arm throw on Croden! Santos with a headlock controlling from side control. Croden slips out the back after a big struggle and takes the back of Santos. Santos gets back to her feet and breaks away fairly quickly. Body kick by Croden! Santos clinches Croden and presses her against the cage. Short shots by Santos. Good control here by Santos. The. bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Santos.

Round 2 – Jab to the body by Santos. They trade leg kicks. Santos shoots, fails on the takedown, but presses Croden against the cage. Short elbow by Croden. Short punches by Croden. Santos working hard for the takedown, but unable to. Santos gets a throw! She's now working inside Croden's guard. Croden with an open guard, looking to set something up. Santos advances to half control. Croden recovers guard partially, put loses it and Santos gets back to side control. Props to Croden, she recovers guard. Short shots by Snatos from top. Croden with some shots from the bottom too. Santos goes for a heel hook! It doesn't look tight. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Santos.

Round 3 – It looks like Croden needs a finish here. Croden takes the center of the octagon and begins pressig and walking down Santos. Leg kick by Croden. Santos ducks under a shot and presses Croden against the cage. She's looking for the takedown. Croden breaks free! Quick combo partly connects for Croden. Santos with a head-and-arm throw! Santos with a full head-lock on Croden. Santos mainly controlling here, not much damage. Two minutes left. Croden just stuck in the position, unable to get out. Short shots here and there by Santos. One minute left. More short shots by Santos. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Santos. Overall 30-27, Santos.

  • Result: Luana Santos def. Melissa Croden via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Santos (10-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Croden (7-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • Division: Women’s bantamweight
  • Referee: Kerry Hatley
  • Judging: Adalaide Byrd, Eric Colon: 29-28. Sal D'Amato: 30-27.

AJ Frye vs. Guilherme Pat

Round 1 – Big leg kick by Pat. Frye presses Pat against the cage, and he begins to look for the takedown. Pat defending well so far. Pat breaks free and lands a nice shot on the break. Oh! Clean combo for Pat! Frye's face is busted up. Hook to the body by Pat. Frye presses Pat against the cage. We're halfway through the round. Pat breaks free. Oh! Big connection by Pat! Frye is getting beat up here. More shots by Pat. Frye presses Pat against the cage, and connects with a few knees. Pat breaks free again. Vicious shots by Pat! Pat pressing here. He stumbles back and Frye gets on him. Looks like Pat tripped. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pat.

Round 2 – Man, Frye is really beat up here. Credit to him, he's still fighting and pressing. Pat with a nasty combo. Pat ends up pressing Frye against the cage and lands some nice shots. Frye reverses him, but they break free shortly after. Pat is looking tired, maybe Frye can do something here. Frye presses Pat against the fence, and this time is keeping him there. Short shots by Frye. Pat breaks free. Two minutes left. One, two lands for Frye Pat with a left hook. Jab by Pat. Oh! Big connection by Pat! Frye felt that. Frye presses Pat against the cage. Both fighters looking very tired. Frye controlling here, but not doing much damage. Pat breaks free. Leg kick by Pat. Frye chasing here. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pat.

Round 3 – Oh, man! Big, big shots by Pat right off the bat! Nasty elbows! Frye closes the distance and presses Pat against the cage. Frye is bleeding a ton, he's cut up bad all over his face. Frye controlling here, but no damage. Short knees to the legs by Frye. Pat breaks free. Three minutes left. Frye presses Pat against the cage. Good control here by Frye, but he needs a finish. Pat breaks free with a little less than two minutes left. Man, nasty combo by Pat. Pat now presses Frye against the cage. Dirty boxing from Pat. Frye reverses him. One minute left. What a grueling round. Pat breaks free, connects two hooks, a knee to the body and gets presses against the cage again. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pat. Overall 30-27, Pat.

  • Result: Guilherme Pat def. Allen Frye Jr. via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Pat (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Frye (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • Referee: Eric McMahon
  • Judging: Ron McCarthty, Jerin Valel, Tony Weeks: 30-27.

Tereza Bleda vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth

Round 1 – Bleda shoots early, but Horth stuffs the takedown. Uppercut lands by Horth! Bleda presses Horth against the fence, and is working hard for the takedown, but Horth defending well. Knee by Horth from the clinch. Oh! Horth gets free and lands a big bomb on Bleda! Blada looking wobbly! More shots from Horth. It's over. First round finish for Horth.

  • Result: Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Tereza Bleda via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:05
  • Photos: UFC on ESPN 73: Best photos from Las Vegas
  • Records: Horth (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Bleda (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • Division: Women’s flyweight
  • Referee: Kerry Hatley

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC on ESPN 73 live updates: Round-by-round coverage of every fight

Reporting by Danny Segura, MMA Junkie / MMA Junkie

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