Arnold Allen and Jean Silva put on a clinic to open up the first UFC main card of 2026, with Silva getting the win at UFC 324.
Allen kept his distance in the opening round, working his striking from the outside and controlling the action, slowly picking things up as the round went on. Silva landed a strong right hand and high kick in the closing seconds of the round, seemingly doing damage. He received a shove from Allen after the horn for his trouble.
Silva scored a takedown on Allen early in the second, landing a strong left hand and high kick as Allen got back to his feet. The two had a back-and-forth exchange, with Silva getting a small cut under one of his eyes. Allen did damage with inside shots, including knees, but the two continued to answer one another.
Allen looked to pressure in round three and utilize grappling control, but Silva out-landed him in terms of significant strikes during the frame and took the decision.
Jean Silva Gets Decision In Back-And-Forth Battle With Arnold Allen At UFC 324
This is UFC matchmaking at it’s finest. What an awesome fight 🔥 #UFC324
The MMA world turned its eyes toward San Antonio, Texas, on September 13, as the UFC held its third annual Noche UFC event, with this year’s card taking place at the Frost Bank Center.
Since 2023, the UFC has annually held a card on Mexican Independence Day weekend, promoting Mexican heritage and celebrating the legacy of Mexican athletes who have competed in combat sports. After the inaugural event was a Fight Night card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, last year saw the UFC hold the event (Noche UFC 2: UFC 306) at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Plans for this year’s card were initially for it to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, but a new arena was unable to be constructed in time.
The main event saw a battle of featherweight contenders as Diego Lopes took on Jean Silva. This was Lopes’ first fight since a loss in a featherweight title bout with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314. Silva, meanwhile, had been on a 13-fight win streak, coming into this bout off a submission of Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314.
The co-main event saw Rob Font took on David Martinez, who filled in for an injured Raul Rosas Jr. Font had won back-to-back fights, most recently scoring a decision over Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle in February. Martinez made his UFC debut in March, scoring a knockout of Saimon Oliveira.
Who impressed? Who fell short of expectation? Let’s get into it with the Hits and Misses for Noche UFC!
Tonight we see The Fighting Spirit 🇲🇽#NocheUFC starts at 3pmET on the @ESPN app!
The Ultimate Fighter may not mean as much to people as it did years ago, but Danill Donchenko caught some attention the way he scored a first-round finish of Rodrigo Sezinando to claim the TUF welterweight title.
Sezinando started strong with a takedown, looking to use his grappling to get a strong start. Donchenko not only made his way back to his feet, however, but he landed short flurries, which included an elbow that busted Sezinando open. Donchenko’s striking would end up being too much, as Donchenko scored the first-round finish to win the competition.
Donchenko entered TUF 11-2, having served as Naiza FC lightweight champion on once occasion. He appeared to be one of the wiser participants in terms of fight strategy and analysis during the show. And after the way he performed throughout the tournament, hopefully for him this is the start to a successful run in the Octagon.
Miss: Tatiana Suarez’s Win Was Dominating But Dragging
With Weili Zhang moving up to flyweight to challenge Valentina Shevchenko, Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will be squaring off next month to determine the new champion. This presented a strong opportunity for former title challengers Tatiana Suarez and Amanda Lemos, who faced off at Noche UFC in a pivotal strawweight contenders’ matchup. Unfortunately, neither woman came out of it looking convincing of another title opportunity.
Suarez used her wrestling and grappling throughout the fight, keeping Lemos pinned against the fence and taking her down to the ground. Lemos had a late scare with her striking, but it was far too late as Suarez took a decision win — to the boos of many in San Antonio.
This was a dominant showing that allows Suarez to rebound from her unsuccessful challenge of Zhang earlier this year. While she clearly won the fight, it wasn’t anything that screamed she had to have the next title shot. She’ll have to hope no one else around her makes a more convincing case for the rest of this year.
Hit: Santiago Luna’s Star-Making Showing
Five Mexican-born fighters competed on the Noche UFC card this year, and perhaps none had as impressive of a showing than Santiago Luna. Luna pulled off a come-from-behind, first-round finish of Quang Le to open the main card.
Luna looked to be in trouble early on after Le dropped him with a jab in the fight’s first minute. Le attacked, looking to pour on pressure and score a quick finish. That finish came, but it was Le who was the victim of it. Luna survived the barrage and wobbled Le with a hook, laying in a flurry of ground-and-pound before the referee stopped the fight.
LUNA ENDS HIS DEBUT EARLY 🤩
It doesn't get any better for Santiago Luna on a night like this!
Luna has been an impressive finisher during his time on the regional circuit, and now he’s already gained momentum in his UFC debut. Hopefully for his case, the UFC can use this to build up another new Mexican star for their roster.
Hit: Alexander Hernandez Great For Second Time In Month’s Span
It was just last year when things didn’t look so great (pun intended) for Alexander Hernandez. But now he has newfound momentum, an exclamation point stamped on it after a hard-hitting finish of Carlos Diego Ferreira.
Ferreira controlled the action early on with his kicks, but Hernandez’s patience ended up paying off with a powerful right hand in the second that put Ferreira down and out.
THE HOMETOWN KID GETS THE HUGE KO 👊
Alexander Hernandez wins by round 2 knockout in San Antonio!
Hernandez has now won four straight, all coming within the last 12 months. It’ll be worth seeing if they give Hernandez another unranked opponent or if they put him up against someone in the lower portion of the lightweight rankings next.
Hit: Kelvin Gastelum And Dustin Stoltzfus Bring Spirit-Filled Outing
It’s unfortunate that Kelvin Gastelum’s five-pound weight miss leaves a bit of a black eye in his fight. And that’s because he and Dustin Stoltzfus had a fight that pretty much tore the house down.
Stoltzfus focused on attacking the body of Gastelum during the opening round, and he did so effectively. Gastelum, however, stormed back in the second round, which proved to be a wild, back-and-forth affair where Gastelum rocked Stoltzfus a couple of times. He then controlled the third round with his boxing to seal the victory.
After a long losing streak, Gastelum has now scored three wins in his last five. The question is if he’ll be allowed to continue at middleweight after a weight miss like this (and after he’s already been forced to move up to middleweight previously after weight misses at 170).
Hit: David Martinez With Upset Of The Year Nominee
David Martinez was all that was left to get all Mexican fighters to score wins at Noche UFC. But he had a tall task, coming in on short notice to take on all of the best bantamweights in the world — Rob Font.
Fortunately, Martinez was up for the task. Martinez came out firing with speed in the opening round, getting through Font’s decision to seemingly start slow and load up for power shots. Font did land some powerful strikes, and Martinez slowed down during the second, but Martinez’s volume came back in the third, taking the decision on all three judges’ cards.
The biggest win of his career 👏
David Martinez showed that he's someone that every bantamweight needs to keep their eyes on 👀
This is massive for “The Black Spartan.” Just two fights into his UFC run, and he’s now beaten one of the best 135ers in the world — and doing so in a fight he wasn’t even originally supposed to be in. He should have a strong number next to his name come Tuesday, and opportunities for him have more than opened up.
Hit: Diego Lopes Lights Up The Night
Even in a loss to Alexander Volkanovski this past April, Diego Lopes has had a lot of stock placed in him since his UFC debut a little over two years ago. And his popularity may have reached bigger levels with the way he performed in a finish of Jean Silva.
Lopes was dominant ealry on, stopping a takedown attempt and working his way into mount, landing a barrage of ground strikes that could have stopped the fight. Silva, however, survived and rocked Lopes early in the second round, with the two trading blow for blow in an outing that had the San Antonio crowd on its feet. Lopes would end things with a sudden spinning back elbow that floored Silva in a highlight-reel fashion.
Consider that Lopes’ only losses in the UFC are a controversial one against Movsar Evloev and the fight against Volkanovski, he’s really made a name for himself in this division. If he gets another win, perhaps he could be in line to challenge Volkanovski again — or challenge Evloev in a rematch for the title.
Miss: Fighting Nerds Eating Ls
It’s one thing for me to trash on Silva giving a blow to the back of Lopes’ head post-fight. That was completely unprofessional, but it was also in the heat of the moment.
What can’t be argued against, however, is that the Fighting Nerds have reached a low point.
It wasn’t long ago when some of us, yours truly included, said it wouldn’t be long — maybe in 2026 — when one of the Fighting Nerds would be a UFC champion. But now all of the Fighting Nerds present in the UFC have lost their unbeaten records — and this one comes just one week after Caio Borralho lost his UFC 0 in Paris.
This is a pivotal point for this team — either they’re going to take lessons from their losses and come out a stronger camp, or all of the momentum is going to crash out and they will just be a blip on the UFC radar. For their sake, I hope it’s the former.
In what was a wild outing that proved to be one of the best fights in MMA this year, Diego Lopes has rebounded from his unsuccessful featherweight title challenge earlier this year to score an amazing second-round finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC.
Silva attempted a takedown early in the opening frame and paid a heavy price for it. Lopes threatened a choke and then worked his way into full mount, landing a barrage of ground-and-pound for minutes on end, nearly getting Mike Beltran to stop the fight. Silva managed to get back to his feet, but not before having to escape a triangle from Lopes.
Silva came storming back in the second round, landing a right hand that appeared to rock Lopes. Silva seemed to get things going, but Lopes started firing right back, providing quite the spectacular firefight between the two. Then, with just seconds remaining in the second round, Lopes landed a surprise spinning back elbow that bloodied Silva and sent him crumbling.
Lopes then landed ground-and-pound until the referee waved off the contest.
Diego Lopes Stops Jean Silva In Wild Brawl That Headlined Third Annual Noche UFC
Fight of the year. If you disagree you’re wrong. Diego Lopes is THAT GUY #UFCNoche
Lopes has now won six of his last seven. This was his first fight since facing Alexander Volkanovski for the then-vacant UFC featherweight title at UFC 314.
This loss snapped a 13-fight win streak for Silva, who tastes defeat for the first time in the Octagon. He came into this bout off a submission of Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314.
UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, featherweights Diego Lopes and Jean Silva clashed. While in the co-main event, Rob Font faced off with David Martinez in a bantamweight matchup.
UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card
Featherweight bout: Diego Lopes def. Jean Silva via TKO: R2, 4.48
Bantamweight bout: David Martínez def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Lightweight bout: Rafa García def. Jared Gordon via TKO: R3, 2.27
The third annual Noche UFC is almost here, and we here at MMA News are here to provide you the latest on betting odds for the card.
The card takes place from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, September 13. The main card portion of the event will start at 6PM ET/3PM PT, with preliminary action starting at 3PM ET/12PM PT.
The main event of the card will see Diego Lopes facing Jean Silva in a battle of notable featherweight contenders.
In the co-main event, Rob Font will take on David Martinez in a bantamweight matchup.
The main card will also feature Rafa Garcia taking on Jared Gordon, Kelvin Gastelum against Dustin Stoltzfus, Alexander Hernandez vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Santiago Luna facing Quang Lee.
Noche UFC 3: Lopes vs. Silva Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Paris as of September 12 at 10:30pm ET, courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card
Featherweight: Diego Lopes (+200) vs. Jean Silva (-245)
Bantamweight: Rob Font (-115) vs. David Martinez (-105)
Lightweight: Rafa Garcia (+180) vs. Jared Gordon (-218)
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum (-230) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (+190)
Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez (-102) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (-118)
Bantamweight: Santiago Luna (-135) vs. Quang Lee (+114)
Preliminary Card
Middleweight: Jose Daniel Medina (+330) vs. Dusko Todorovic (-425)
Lightweight: Claudio Puelles (-130) vs. Joaquim Silva (+110)
Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez (-440) vs. Amanda Lemos (+340)
Flyweight: Jesus Santos Aguilar (+170) vs. Luis Gurule (-205)
Middleweight: Zachary Reese (-230) vs. Sedriques Dumas (+190)
Flyweight: Alessandro Costa (-395) vs. Alden Coria (+310)
Women’s Bantamweight: Montserrat Rendon (+124) vs. Alice Pereira (-148)
Welterweight: Rodrigo Sezinando (+170) vs. Danill Donchenko (-205)
We’re a little less than 24 hours away from the third annual Noche UFC, and MMA News is here to bring you the video from the ceremonial weigh-ins for the card!
Noche UFC takes place on September 13 from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The main event will see a featherweight showdown featuring contenders Diego Lopes and Jean Silva. This will be Lopes’ first fight since falling short in a fight with Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 314. Silva is on a 13-fight win streak, which includes a 5-0 record with five finishes in the Octagon. This will be his first fight since submitting Bryce Mitchell, a fight that also took place at UFC 314.
The co-main event will see a bantamweight battle between Rob Font and David Martinez. Font has won two straight and three of his last five, most recently scoring a split decision over Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle in February. Martinez, filling in for an injured Raul Rosas Jr., has won eight straight and enters with a 12-1 professional MMA record. Martinez, the former Combate Global champion, scored a first-round finish of Saimon Oliveira in his UFC debut this past March.
The rest of the main card will see Rafa Garcia facing Jared Gordon, Kelvin Gastelum taking on Dustin Stoltzfus, Alexander Hernandez squaring off with Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Santiago Luna doing battle with Quang Le.
Though Gastelum weighed in five pounds above the middleweight limit, all fights remain on for Noche UFC 3!
The ceremonial weigh-ins present the last opportunity for opponents to face off before they meet inside the Octagon. Check them out below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel!
The UFC is set to host its third annual Mexican Independence Day celebration, Noche UFC, this Saturday, September 13, live from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. MMA News brings you the official weigh-in results to get fans primed for fight night.
Headlining the action is a featherweight showdown, as former UFC title challenger Diego Lopes goes toe-to-toe with No. 10-ranked contender Jean Silva in a pivotal clash.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, seasoned bantamweight contender Rob Font will square off against late-notice replacement David Martinez. The night will also crown a new star as The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 welterweight finale takes place between Rodrigo Sezinando and Daniil Donchenko.
Before the action kicks off at Noche UFC, fighters will hit the scales Friday morning at the UFC’s host hotel in the “Alamo City”.
Noche UFC Complete Weigh-In Results
Main Card
Featherweight bout: Diego Lopes (146) vs. Jean Silva (145.5)
Bantamweight bout: Rob Font (135) vs. David Martínez (135.5)
Lightweight bout: Rafa García (155.5) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
Middleweight bout: Kelvin Gastelum (191)* vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185.5)
Bantamweight bout: Santiago Luna (136) vs. Quang Le (136)
Preliminary Card
Lightweight bout: Alexander Hernandez (155.5) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (156)
Middleweight bout: José Daniel Medina (186) vs. Duško Todorović (186)
Lightweight bout: Claudio Puelles (156) vs. Joaquim Silva (156)
Strawweight bout: Tatiana Suarez (115.5) vs. Amanda Lemos (116)
Flyweight bout: Jesús Santos Aguilar (126) vs. Luis Gurule (125.5)
Middleweight bout: Zachary Reese (185.5) vs. Sedriques Dumas (186)
Flyweight bout: Alessandro Costa (125.5) vs. Alden Coria (126)
Women’s bantamweight bout: Montserrat Rendon (136) vs. Alice Pereira (136)
TUF 33 welterweight final bout: Rodrigo Sezinando (170.5) vs. Daniil Donchenko (171)
*Kelvin Gastelum weighed in five pounds over the middleweight limit.He will forfeit 35% of his fight purse to his opponent, but the bout will go on as planned.
"Easy money!" 🤠@DiegoLopesMMA hits the scale at 146lbs for our main event!
Caio Borralho thinks it’s just a matter of time before the Fighting Nerds take over the UFC.
Over the last couple of years, there have been few fighters more exciting to watch than Borralho and his teammate, Jean Silva. Both have absolutely dominated their respective division’s thus far, with Borralho boasting a perfect 7-0 record inside the Octagon. In September, he’ll look to secure his 10th straight win and, more importantly, a shot at the middleweight title when he meets the division’s top-ranked contender, Nassourdine Imavov, at UFC Paris.
A week later, Silva will look score the biggest win of his career when he meets former featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes at Noche UFC in San Antonio.
If both fighters come out on top, Borralho believes he and Silva could end up becoming UFC champions on the same night.
“I think me and Jean Silva are going to have the belt on the same day,” Borralho told MMA Junkie. “That’s what we’re planning! We live our dreams, and there’s a lot of power inside of it, you know? So we’re going to keep doing big things—great things—inside and outside the Octagon. You guys just need to watch!”
Caio Borralho and Jean Silva Ride into a Pair of Potential Title Eliminators with a Heap of Momentum
Like Borralho, Silva is unbeaten inside the Octagon, going 5-0 and riding a 13-fight win streak that dates back to November 2018. After landing a first-round KO over Melsik Baghdasaryan in April, ‘Lord’ made a relatively quick turnaround, accepting the challenge of Bryce Mitchell seven weeks later at UFC 314.
Meanwhile, Borralho goes into his next bout coming off a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier in August. Before that, he landed a highlight-reel KO over Paul Craig at UFC 301. He currently sits as the sixth-ranked contender in the middleweight division.
Before securing the finish, “Lord” displayed sharp striking and showcased a clear grappling edge, neutralizing the American in nearly every exchange en route to locking in the submission win.
After suffering his second submission defeat in the UFC, “Thug Nasty” took to Instagram to reflect on the loss, admitting he was heartbroken by the outcome but stood by the fact that he left everything he had in the Octagon.
“Thank God, he protected me, Bryce Mitchell said. “I didn’t lose my teeth. I don’t got no broken bones. So I feel good about that. I fought as hard as I possibly could. I couldn’t have fought any harder. I could have fought smarter. I’m going to go make some adjustments but I mean he put me to sleep. I had nothing left to give. I’m happy about that, knowing that I tried my best. But I’ve got to get better. That’s just the lesson learned here, I’ve got to get better.
“I really thought that I was going to win the fight. 100 percent believed it. Because I just never had a fight that big before and I was like wow out of nowhere, this fight just got this much hype. God’s chosen me to win this fight but that wasn’t the case… I’m just going to keep fighting. That’s all I can do,” Mitchell said. “That’s all we can all do. Any time you take a loss, just learn from it and keep fighting. That’s what I’m going to do.”
After a tough night at #UFC314, Bryce Mitchell shared a heartfelt message with his fans:
"Y’all are so amazing. What an honor to entertain you. It’s okay to be disappointed — I’m not offended. It wasn’t a good night for me, but I can honestly say I gave it my all. I encourage… pic.twitter.com/x0w1f39M1y
“Thug Nasty” finds himself on uneven footing, going 2-3 in his last five appearances—each of the three losses coming by way of stoppage. His most recent win came at UFC 310 in December, when he scored a third-round knockout over Kron Gracie amidst an inconsistent run.
According to UFC newcomer Aaron Pico, Jean Silva’s destruction of Bryce Mitchell is enough to warrant a title shot.
The featherweight gold returned to Alexander Volkanovski at this past weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, which was headlined by a clash for the belt vacated by Ilia Topuria.
To begin a fresh reign on the 145-pound throne, Volkanovski got the better of charging contender Diego Lopes across five rounds in Miami. And though the Australian’s victory is just days old, it hasn’t taken long for focus to turn to what could await him next.
For many, that should be a showdown with the undefeated Movsar Evloev, who has beaten Lopes, Arnold Allen, and Aljamain Sterling consecutively to stake his claim.
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, however, Pico pointed to another figure in the featherweight top 15 as a more “exciting” option for the UFC and “Alexander the Great.”
“Honestly, I think Jean Silva,” Pico said. “He’s 5-0 in the UFC with five finishes. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the title shot. He put on a great performance (at UFC 314). The crowd loved him and he’s starting to get a lot of fans. And I think he’s very exciting.
“Movsar is a great fighter, of course. But I think to the fans, it’s very, very boring,” Pico added.
Mitchell looked to get out to a strong start early, taking the upper hand in striking. But when Mitchell went for his grappling strength, Silva was ready. Silva stuffed a takedown attempt and countered another with a choke. Silva attempted three different chokes on Mitchell in the final minute of the first round.
At that point, Mitchell spent a significant amount of time on the back foot, as Silva became the aggressor, landing notable strikes, including a spinning backfist. Silva was able to get a hold of Mitchell again and continued to search for the choke. Finally, in the middle of the second round, Silva locked in a ninja choke, getting Mitchell to tap just before he passed out.
Jean Silva Brutally Chokes Out Bryce Mitchell At UFC 314
Silva has now won 13 straight fights in his MMA career, and he’s unbeaten in the Octagon since arriving from Dana White’s Contender Series. Silva’s other victories have come against Westin Wilson, Charles Jourdain, Drew Dober, and Melsik Baghdasaryan. “Lord” may be in line for a notable contenders’ bout now in his next fight.
Mitchell, meanwhile, has lost two of his last three. His most recent fight had been the dud against Kron Gracie at UFC 310 — which marked his first fight since the devastating knockout loss to Josh Emmett in December 2023.
Saturday’s UFC 314 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with former featherweight kingpin Volkanovski looking to become a two-time titleholder at 145 pounds. If the Australian is to begin a new rule atop the featherweight mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a rising name in Lopes. Since impressing in a short-notice debut against Movsar Evloev, the Mexico-based Brazilian has won five straight to earn a first shot at gold.
Before those two collide in the UFC 314 main event, there will be high stakes in the division above. Setting the stage for UFC 314’s title bout will be a key lightweight contest between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. While “Iron” will return five months on from a second defeat to Charles Oliveira that has left him 2-4 in the UFC, the surging Scouser will look to carry the momentum from his quick submission of King Green last July en route to a place in the 155-pound title picture.
Elsewhere on the UFC 314 card, the controversial Bryce Mitchell faces the power of Jean Silva, Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull debuts in the Octagon against Yair Rodriguez, and top 10 light heavyweights Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes collide.
UFC 314: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 314 event, Thomas Albano, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through three cards in 2025.
Thomas Albano (9-4) & Pranav Pandey (9-4)
Ryan Jarrell (7-5)
Aakrit Sharma (5-8)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 314.
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Nikita Krylov hasn’t been seen in the Octagon in two years now, and it’s a long-awaited return at UFC 314 for a guy who’s looking to position himself for a future crack at the light heavyweight title. Dominick Reyes is a man who has had those shots at the gold previously, and it had been a rough road since that point. Admittedly, however, it has been nice to see him get his hand raised in his last pair of outings against Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith.
I’ll keep this one pretty simple: grappler vs. striker. Krylov will look to bring this one to the ground and control the action there. Reyes will look to prevent those takedowns and do work on the feet with his punches and kicks. Ultimately, I side with the man who – while not having competed for some time – is a strong finisher and has the true momentum between these two. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Ryan Jarrell: What a fun fight to kick off the UFC 314 main card. Both of these guys have a ton of power and know how to close a fight. Krylov is dangerous wherever the fight goes and only actually loses fights to the best in the division. At one point in time, Reyes was considered one of the very best at 205 pounds. Now on a two-fight winning streak with huge wins over veterans Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith, the former title challenger is looking like his younger self again.
If Reyes shows up at his best, I expect him to continue his resurgence. But I am not super confident that will be the case, which makes me question if Reyes is the play here. I won’t be placing any bets on this one, but I’m leaning Reyes to get his hand raised. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Pranav Pandey: I’ll be honest, this isn’t the most exciting matchup on the card for me, but it could still surprise us. On paper, it seems to lean toward Krylov. “The Miner” will likely aim to lean on his grappling and control Reyes from the outset. The big question is the layoff. Krylov has been out of action for more than two years, and it’s tough to tell whether he’ll return sharp or show signs of regression. On the other hand, “The Devastator” has looked solid in his last two outings and carries the more polished striking arsenal. That being said, my pick is Krylov. If he sticks to his strengths and avoids unnecessary exchanges, I think he gets the job done. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Aakrit Sharma: This is a tough one to pick! The Reyes that showed up against Jon Jones should’ve been able to beat any light heavyweight on the planet with ease, but he went on a four-fight losing skid instead, which were all decent losses except the Ryan Spann knockout. Anyone can land a KO blow at a heavy division like light heavyweight, but because Reyes has looked crisp with his 1-2 in his last two victories, I’m backing him to continue his much-needed winning streak at UFC 314. Reyes’ chin and openness to body kicks are his biggest weaknesses, and I don’t think Krylov has the style to exploit any of these. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Consensus: 2-2
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Images: UFC.com & Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC
Thomas Albano: As I’ve said in previous predictions pieces, if there’s one gym that is to watch for in 2025, it’s the Fighting Nerds. Jean Silva and his teammates have become some of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the Octagon and have developed such a system that has led to early success. If Silva is able to get a win over Bryce Mitchell, then the featherweight division needs to watch out.
“Thug Nasty” took a year off from the Octagon after getting brutally stopped by Josh Emmett. His return fight, unfortunately, I feel nothing can be taken away from because he defeated Kron Gracie in what was certainly one of the worst fights I’ve seen watching the UFC. Mitchell’s grappling is great, but that won’t help him here against a rising star in Silva, who is turning into one of the best all-around combatants at 145 pounds. (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: The Fighting Nerds are on an absolute tear and Silva might be the most exciting fighter of them all. Mitchell has had a tough time as of late, and I believe that will continue in Miami. Silva moves so well and his striking is a thing of beauty. The Brazilian is now 4-0 in the UFC, stopping all of his opponents inside of the distance. The man nicknamed “Lord” will eventually land a shot that Mitchell will not be able to recover from and will continue his impressive rise toward stardom at UFC 314. (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Pranav Pandey: This one’s got some heat behind it, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. On the feet, I don’t think Mitchell has much to offer against Silva’s striking. If this stays standing, “Lord” could pick him apart with ease. That said, Mitchell’s grappling-heavy approach is a real threat. If he’s able to drag Silva into his world, things could get tricky fast. But the key for Silva is to stay upright and avoid getting tangled in Mitchell’s grips. If he can do that, I see him taking over quickly. The way I picture it, once “Lord” starts finding his rhythm, it’s going to rain hard on “Thug Nasty.” (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Aakrit Sharma: Mitchell’s only two losses in MMA are to Josh Emmett, a KO machine who can knock out anyone, and Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight kingpin. On the other hand, Silva is riding one of the most impressive KO streaks in the UFC right now. I do think Mitchell has a good chin, and his ground game could be overwhelming for Silva, who hasn’t been tested by an elite grappler in the featherweight division yet. On the flip side, Mitchell is no stranger to taking on scary strikers, and his approach should be very similar to how he fought Edson Barboza.
Silva’s walking into the bout as a huge favorite, but I don’t think he’ll fire through “Thug Nasty” that easily. In fact, on paper, Mitchell has more tools to emerge victorious at UFC 314, and I’m expecting him to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Bryce Mitchell)
Consensus: 3-1 Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Images: UFC.com & Bellator MMA
Thomas Albano: Man, do I pray that this ends up being a Fight of the Night style bout. It has been a long time coming that Patricio Pitbull into the Octagon after – like fellow card member Michael Chandler – being one of the faces of Bellator for years. Pitbull was dominant in his time with Bellator, being a longtime king of their featherweight division, as well as a one-time champ-champ. Pitbull may have had a couple of rough outings in recent fights against Sergio Pettis and Chihiro Suzuki, but his title defense over Jeremy Kennedy last year showed he’s still one of the best in the world.
And then you have Yair Rodriguez. His wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett – as well as his gutty performance against Max Holloway – led him to challenge Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 290 for the featherweight title. Even though he did not come out on top, there was still plenty of high expectations and feelings of a bright future. The loss against Brian Ortega last year, however, may have spoiled some of that, and he’ll need a strong outing against Pitbull to maintain the idea that he is a viable title challenger, especially with names like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev jumping into the title picture over the last year or so.
This is a rough one to predict, and as I said, I hope this one is a back-and-forth war. Ultimately, I do see Pitbull doing just enough for a memorable UFC debut. (Prediction: Patricio Pitbull)
Ryan Jarrell: MMA fans have always speculated how Pitbull would do against the elite the UFC has to offer. It’s too bad we are just getting to see it now, when the former Bellator star is closing in on 40 years of age. That said, Pitbull is still competing at a high level and is fully capable of upsetting Rodriguez. If the Mexican fights smart and uses his length, he should be able to outpoint the veteran and cruise to a decision victory, which is what I expect to see in this one. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)
Pranav Pandey: This one has fireworks written all over it; props to the UFC matchmaking team for putting together such stylistic clash. “El Pantera” is pure artistry in motion. His striking flows effortlessly, and the way he blends creativity with chaos makes him a joy to watch. Add in his unorthodox style, and he becomes a puzzle not many can solve. However, Pitbull is a tank. He is powerful, relentless, and well-rounded. He is not just a knockout threat on the feet but also a seasoned grappler with a wealth of experience in high-pressure situations.
Sharing the cage with someone who brings that kind of forward pressure and physicality is never an easy task. I believe this one will remain close, but Pitbull might just tilt the momentum in his favor. (Prediction: Patricio Pitbull)
Aakrit Sharma: Pitbull claimed that he would’ve retired if he hadn’t signed with the UFC. Is it really the mindset with which you plan to take on a top contender like Rodriguez? Pitbull has a wealth of experience, but fighting in Bellator and Rizin, as harsh as it sounds, is not the truest test for a martial artist. Pitbull’s age is one of my first concerns, and I just see quite a many tools in Rodriguez’s arsenal to finish this fight. He’s just 32, which is why I am favoring him to win despite coming off consecutive losses to Volkanovski and Ortega as well.
Pitbull’s only path to victory here is an upset submission win, but I believe the Mexican has a solid ground game to get out of troubling positions. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)
Consensus: 2-2
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Michael Chandler couldn’t score the mega fight with Conor McGregor he’s been yearning for years. But Paddy Pimblett is probably the next best thing he can get, especially on the losing skid he has (and some may even feel this fight is a more entertaining one than McGregor-Chandler would have been). Pimblett has been a rising name in the lightweight division, and a win in this fight – namely a finish in this fight – would mean everything for his hype value. That being said, he’s taking on a veteran name in Chandler who has had his fair share of wars.
It will be interesting to see what happens if this fight goes to the ground, but it will be even more interesting to see if Chandler’s chin can hold up against a younger and speedier Pimblett – or if Pimblett’s weak striking defense hasn’t improved and Chandler lands a cracking shot. Pimblett has recently put out a big prediction that he’ll need just two rounds to finish Chandler, who has lost four of his last five fights. And it’s not out of the realm of possibility. (Prediction: Paddy Pimblett)
Ryan Jarrell: Any time “Iron Mike” steps inside of the UFC octagon, it is must see TV. I have never been completely sold on “Paddy the Baddy,” and I do believe he will be exposed in this fight. Chandler’s wrestling and takedown defense will allow him to dictate where this fight takes place. Ultimately, I think Chandler will stun the Englishman and capitalize with a barrage of unanswered shots leading to a much needed TKO victory. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Pranav Pandey: Another tricky one to call. I expect this to be a competitive fight, though not necessarily a striking clinic. I can see Pimblett relentlessly pursuing takedowns, trying to drag Chandler into grappling exchanges, while “Iron” will likely do everything he can to keep it standing — where he’s most dangerous. “The Baddy” is a real wildcard here. He’s unorthodox and can create problems if he finds the right position on the ground — or even on the feet. That said, for all the criticism Chandler receives, particularly regarding his recklessness and questionable fight IQ, he’s still a seasoned competitor with legitimate knockout power and a persistent pace.
I can see Pimblett getting caught in one of those chaotic exchanges. Chandler might just need one opening, and if he finds it, he’ll likely close the show. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Aakrit Sharma: Pimblett gets hit a lot, and it could very well cost him the fight against Chandler, even though the latter looked slow and inaccurate against Charles Oliveira. “Iron” has all the power in the world, and he showed that his cardio, even at 38, is still good enough for the lightweight division. Oliveira couldn’t submit Chandler despite almost always having his back for 20 minutes. This is as impressive as it gets, and I’m not expecting Pimblett to surprise the veteran in any way on the ground.
On the feet, again, Chandler has a titanium chin, and Pimblett hasn’t showcased KO potential at lightweight yet. My hot take is that the English fighter is just not that good and has been in really lucky matchups so far. At UFC 314, I’m picking Chandler to hand Pimblett his first UFC loss. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Consensus: 3-1 Michael Chandler
UFC Featherweight Title: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Thomas Albano: For the first time in over a year, Alexander Volkanovski is back in the Octagon. And just when we thought Ilia Topuria would rule over featherweight, in just 14 months it will end with his venture up to 155 pounds, leading to either Volk reclaiming the featherweight throne, or for it to be seized by the rising Diego Lopes.
Ever since coming in on short notice in his UFC debut and controversially losing to Movsar Evloev, Lopes quickly built a name for himself with wins over the likes of Dan Ige and Brian Ortega. His power is something to behold, and it will be interesting to see how Volkanovski’s accurate striking holds up against the wilder, but more powerful, shots that Lopes can deliver. And even though Volkanovski usually is able to bring the fight to the ground more than once during a fight, Lopes has some slick submissions that can catch him (or anyone for that matter) off guard.
This fight comes down to three things: How Volkanovski looks after more than a year away from the cage, if Lopes is able to get off to a strong start (which I feel he may need), and how Lopes is able to pace himself. That last part can be particularly important when considering that Lopes hasn’t gone five rounds before and he’s taking on a way-more experienced Volkanovski. Having said that, I’m getting this strange suspicion that youth will win out over experience here. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Ryan Jarrell: This is a very interesting fight for a number of reasons. The former champion has had a tough run as of late, but his only losses are to a couple of fighters considered the pound-for-pound best in the world. I think Volkanovski took the fight with Topuria way too soon and didn’t allow himself to fully recover from his KO loss to Makhachev. Now that he’s had a year off from active competition, I think we will see a vintage performance from the former champ and he will prove he’s still on that championship level. Lopes is legit and he very well may claim the title down the line. I just don’t see it happening here. Give me Volkanovski to win via decision. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Pranav Pandey: This is one of those matchups where my heart wants Volkanovski to pull through, but my mind leans toward Lopes. As much as I want to back “The Great” given everything he’s accomplished and the kind of fighter he is, I can’t ignore what Lopes brings to the table. With Ilia Topuria no longer part of the featherweight equation, the Brazilian might be the most dangerous contender in the division right now. Lopes brings a potent blend of finishing instincts and high-level grappling that could create real problems for Volkanovski. Stylistically, he has the kind of game that can disrupt the former champion’s rhythm. Still, this isn’t unfamiliar territory for Volkanovski.
Back-to-back losses might suggest a decline, but with “The Great,” it’s never that simple. Volkanovski has a proven ability to read opponents, make adjustments, and exploit even the smallest gaps in their game. And while Lopes is a serious threat, he’s not flawless. I have a feeling the Aussie will weather the early storm, make the right reads, and gradually start pulling ahead. If it goes into deep waters, I think that’s where Lopes starts to fade. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Aakrit Sharma: This was the toughest pick to make on the UFC 314 card. My heart wants Volkanovski to win, but it is factually proven that fighters, especially in lower weight classes, show a significant decline in performance and durability after 34. Lopes is powerful, but his fight against Dan Ige proves that he’s not at all ready to face the former UFC featherweight champ. However, again, age is a primary concern here, and I’m skeptical about Volkanovski’s ability to calm the early storm as he used to do gracefully.
This is a five-round fight, and I believe that Lopes only has the first two rounds to win the title. If the fight goes on to the later rounds, even a washed-up Volkanovski should be able to manhandle the Brazilian. My pick, though, is Lopes winning the title early by knocking out one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Consensus: 2-2
That’ll do it for our UFC 314 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 314 card below.
Main Card:
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson
Women’s Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper
Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Flyweight: Sumudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo
Middleweight: Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio
Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 314!
UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell expects to make a mockery of the betting odds for his upcoming showdown with Jean Silva.
After going 2-2 across his last four fights, Mitchell has the chance to return to a winning streak this weekend when he squares off with Silva on the main card of the UFC 314 pay-per-view in Miami, Florida.
Plenty are expecting that to be an uphill task for “Thug Nasty,” however.
The controversial American is currently a +215 underdog on DraftKings, a betting line that Mitchell is excited to prove wrong come fight night inside the Kaseya Center.
“I believe so,” Bryce Mitchell said when asked by Mike Bohn at UFC 314 media day whether he’s being unfairly discounted. “This is a great time for all my friends to bet and make a tremendous amount of money off of me.
“Go ahead and bet the farm. This is the best odds I’ve had,” Mitchell added.
In Jean Silva, Bryce Mitchell is coming up against one of the standout members of the surging Fighting Nerds team. The Brazilian has won 12 fights on the bounce, including four consecutive knockouts in the UFC.
Bryce Mitchell is convinced that he and Jean Silva have been under the influence of a supernatural curse ever since their first encounter.
Mitchell is set to clash with Silva in a high-stakes featherweight showdown at UFC 314 on April 12, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The two fighters came face-to-face at the UFC 314 press conference earlier this month, where they exchanged fiery verbal jabs.
Bryce Mitchell, infamous for his outlandish statements and far-fetched conspiracy theories, has once again sparked intrigue with his latest claims.
On Monday, the 30-year-old Arkansas native took to Instagram, claiming that he has been struggling with sleepless nights as he battles what he believes to be a test of his character by the devil and his demons.
With his showdown against “Lord” fast approaching, Mitchell made an appeal to fellow Christians, asking for their prayers and spiritual support.
“Good morning, y’all. I need all my Christian warriors to pray for me that I will have peaceful sleep, Bryce Mitchell said. “Every single night since the day before the press conference, I’ve had demonic dreams. Legions of demons are attacking me every single time I sleep, and not one time have I seen any peaceful sleep since that day.
“These demons surround me, and they try to fight me and provoke me to anger, and then the dream will switch, and they’ll send beautiful women, and they’re trying to get me to lust, to cheat on my wife. Satan’s using two of my weaknesses to try to expose the evil in my own heart, which is anger and lust. However, where I am weak, the Lord is strong.”
“Thug Nasty” went on to assert that the very demons tormenting him have also possessed Silva, and he vowed to knock the evil out of his opponent when they clash on April 12.
“I’m not just fighting a man on April 12. I’m fighting a man possessed by a legion of demons. When I simply said the name Jesus, he was provoked to maliciousness, and he started barking like a dog and chanting ‘F**k you, f**k you, f**k you.’ Remember guys, the days of fighting for myself are long gone.
“I now fight for the name of the Lord and the devil, he ain’t gonna waste his time trying to plauge a loser. He knows that a victory for the Lord is at hand. I will win this fight in the name of Jesus Christ. The man’s demons will be casted out of my presence and he will fall before me just as Goliath fell before King David.”
Bryce Mitchell says he’s been having ‘demonic dreams’ since the #UFC314 press-conference, and believes Jean Silva is possessed by “a legion of demons” 😳
“When I said the name Jesus he was provoked to maliciousness, and he started barking like a dog.”
The active Brazilian got his wish to be the one with an opportunity to make Mitchell pay inside the cage for his recent pro-Nazi podcast remarks.
And while that controversy resulted in Silva leading “f*ck Bryce Mitchell” chants alongside the fans in attendance at Friday’s presser in Las Vegas, “Lord” also had another topic the American has frequently given his two cents on in mind.
The Fighting Nerds standout arrived with a globe, poking fun at “Thug Nasty’s” belief that the Earth is flat.
Things are getting interesting at this #UFC314 press conference 👀
The press conference came just over a month out from UFC 314, which goes down inside Miami’s Kaseya Center on April 12.
Silva and Mitchell’s battle makes up a stacked undercard, which will see the likes of Michael Chandler, Patricio Pitbull, Yan Xiaonan, and Carlos Prates set the stage for Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes’ championship headliner.
Kenny Florian sees a potential future champion emerging in the UFC’s featherweight division: Jean Silva. He also sees “Lord” in the same light as Conor McGregor when he was in his prime.
Silva is set to face a significant test at UFC 314, where he’ll take on No. 13-ranked contender Bryce Mitchell, a considerable step up in competition. Florian, having experienced the challenges of both the featherweight and lightweight classes himself, and having fought for titles against legends like Jose Aldo and BJ Penn, recognizes the special talent Silva possesses.
Florian’s high regard for Silva was evident during the Anik & Florian Podcast, during which he spoke glowingly of the Brazilian’s potential and even likened him to McGregor, the sport’s first simultaneous two-division champ.
“This guy (Silva) is special. His ability to land shots at the right time. It reminds me of Conor McGregor in his prime,” Florian said. “How he can find your chin and the artistry that he shows in getting there, he’s not just winging punches with his eyes looking down at the canvas. He knows exactly what he’s doing and it’s just beautiful to watch.
“He may very well be a champion in this sport in the near future,” Florian added.
UFC 314 is scheduled to take place on April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
“Lord” is now 4-0 in the Octagon, with all of his wins in the UFC coming via knockout. He’ll hope to continue that trend at the expense of ranked opposition in Mitchell.
The announcement unsurprisingly drew reactions across the MMA community. From predictions either way to questions over the UFC awarding Mitchell a big fight on a prominent card in spite of his antisemitic remarks, plenty of takes appeared.
Jean has always been the most tolerable “fighting nerd”. I respect him for being open to fighting a grappler early in his UFC career unlike those other 2 punks Prates and Ruffy https://t.co/uX3yxYsZAj
Jean Silva becoming one of the biggest stars in the featherweight division has been an excellent development to 2025. I’ve felt a burnout with MMA lately, this has injected life back into my interest https://t.co/jHGNM3fX2L
I don't normally wish any fighter harm, but Mitchell? I wish him harm. I hope its swift, and the ref is a little extra slow in ending the fight. https://t.co/Ad0qJ98cK1
The featherweight overwhelmed Baghdasaryan with a flurry of punches and elbows, securing a brutal stoppage that had the crowd roaring. But Silva wasn’t done making waves. In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, he wasted no time calling out his next target: Bryce Mitchell.
Silva’s challenge to Mitchell wasn’t just about climbing the rankings — it was personal. He explicitly cited “Thug Nasty’s” controversial remarks, particularly his comments about Adolf Hitler, as a key motivation behind his callout.
“I think Bryce Mitchell is someone that would offer me an opportunity to get a very good renewed contract if I beat him,” Silva said. “Also, he’s a guy that fought Ilia [Topuria] and took him to the brink. As for everything else, there are things you cannot tolerate, especially when you’re a public persona.”
Mitchell infamously referred to Hitler as a “good guy” and suggested he would “want to go fishing” with him, remarks that were widely condemned. Silva made it clear that he wants to silence the grappling specialist in the octagon.
It didn’t take long for Mitchell to fire back. The Arkansas native, known for his outspoken nature, responded swiftly on social media.
“There’s only one LORD and it ain’t u fool,” Mitchell wrote. “U need a country ass whoopin’. It will humble u just right.”
Theres only one LORD. and it aint u fool
u needa country ass whoopin. it will humble u just rite
The brewing feud between Silva and Mitchell quickly caught the attention of fight fans, with many eager to see them settle their differences in the cage.
When asked about the potential matchup, UFC CEO Dana White responded with a knowing laugh.
“I bet there’s a lot of people [that want to see that fight],” White said. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
With Silva eager to make a statement and Mitchell always ready for a scrap, the stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown—if the UFC decides to book it.
Jean Silva and his teammates at the Fighting Nerds have been arguably the biggest names to watch in the UFC entering 2025, and that continued with the Brazilian’s victory over Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle.
Silva’s power was on full display in this fight, landing 18 of his 27 strikes thrown in the contest – all significant ones. With less than a minute to go in the first round, “Lord” dropped Baghdasaryan with a right hand.
The rising fan favorite turned to the ref for the fight to be called, but when it wasn’t stopped, he landed several ground-and-pound strikes until it finally was called.
Jean Silva Brutally Finishes Melsik Baghdasaryan At UFC Seattle
Vai ser impossível Jean Silva não ser campeão dos penas do UFC.
Um dos maiores psicopatas que já pisaram no octagon.
Silva now moves to 4-0 in the Octagon and is quickly rising up the lightweight ranks. Last year, he scored victories over Westin Wilson, Charles Jourdain, and Drew Dober.
“Lord” called out Bryce Mitchell in his post-fight interview in the Octagon.
Baghdasaryan, also a Dana White’s Contender Series alumn, is now 3-2 in the UFC.
The Fighting Nerds team out of Brazil has been one of the most exciting stables of fighters to really announce their arrival in 2024. With one fighter signing to the UFC several years ago and proving himself to be a top contender in his division, three other stand outs have made huge impacts inside the Octagon after featuring on last year’s season of the Contender Series.
With an overall record of 11-0 with nine finishes in the UFC this year, Henry Cejudo recently ranked the four Fighting Nerds competitors that have put their team on the map. Unsurprisingly, he gave top billing to the squad’s unofficial team captain, Caio Borralho.
Borralho has won seven fights in a row at middleweight to earn himself the #6-ranking with wins over the likes of Jared Cannonier, Paul Craig and Abus Magomedov setting him up for a huge match-up next time out. Cejudo has been particularly impressed with his wrestling and consistency.
“I got to go with Borralho. His takedown entries are no joke. I wasn’t too sure if he was going to get tired but man, he’s special so I think he’s the first one to lead. Other than him being the first one to lead, I’m going to have to go with Jean Silva.”
Since producing an upset on Contender Series, Silva has won three fights in a row this year at both featherweight and lightweight. His latest win over Drew Dober earned him a performance of the night bonus and though Cejudo wants to see him, and the following names, get tested against a high-level wrestler, he’s very impressed with what he has seen thus far.
A fighter that will certainly be in the conversation for breakthrough fighter of the year is Carlos Prates who has finished all four of his opponents this year. A first round knockout against Neil Magny in his first main event at the start of this month saw him enter the welterweight rankings at #13.
“He’s one that I really want to know how good he really is and I do want to see him get tested in that wrestling department. Does Carlos Prates have that threshold of having somebody like a Shavkat or somebody that’s going to wrestle, a Kamaru Usman, someone that’s going to bring that heavy wrestling feel. How is it that he can handle all of that?”
Last but not least is the member of the four who fought the most recently, Mauricio Ruffy. A spectacular debut against Jamie Mullarkey opened his UFC account in style but his performance at UFC 309 where he faced James Llontop wasn’t as impressive after he secured a decision win as a massive favorite coming in.
“He just fought this weekend. Very creative, very dangerous on what he does and I do feel like he is special.”
Just two weeks after pulling off a highlight knockout at UFC 303, Jean Silva put on another spectacular performance with a hard-fought victory over Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night Denver.
Dober put on a striking clinic in the fight, being creative in his strikes and well-timed with his attacks. For all that Silva dished out, however, the veteran fan favorite took it and then some, continuing to come forward with his attack in spite of the damage Silva was placing on him. Dober, in fact, was already bleeding in the first round.
Despite a strong second-round performance, Silva rocked Dober at the end of the round with an elbow, with the formerly ranked contender arguably being saved by the bell.
Dober was cleared by doctors to continue into the third round, but an elbow less than two minutes into that final frame brought the action to a conclusion due to a gnarly cut.
Holy shit man Silva almost took of Drew Dober’s eyebrow for life. That skin is barely attached at this point. What a savage fight that was!! #UFCDenverpic.twitter.com/FY9mKyNJ7i
Silva is now 3-0 in the UFC. The Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus fought just two weeks ago, scoring a second-round knockout of Charles Jourdain at the International Fight Week pay-per-view.
Dober, meanwhile, has now lost three of four following a three-fight win streak.
UFC Fight Night: Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
After taking a weekend off post-UFC 303, the promotion is kicking off its July schedule with a return to Denver. The main event comes in the women’s flyweight division, with surging prospect Tracy Cortez receiving a major opportunity to climb the ranks against Rose Namajunas.
“Thug Rose,” a former two-time strawweight champion, was originally set to do battle with top five contender Maycee Barber. But with “The Future” out injured, the #11-ranked Cortez has filled in on short notice, looking to extend her undefeated UFC record by adding the biggest scalp to her résumé thus far.
Elsewhere, the likes of welterweight veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio, lightweight fan favorite Drew Dober, and middleweight knockout artist Abdul Razak Alhassan will be among those in action.
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. Cortez Weigh-In Results
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. Cortez takes place on Saturday, July 13, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Check out the full weigh-in results below!
Main Card:
Women’s flyweight Main Event: Rose Namajunas (124.75lbs) vs. Tracy Cortez (126lbs)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Santiago Ponzinibbio (171lbs) vs. Muslim Salikhov (171lbs)
Lightweight: Drew Dober (155lbs) vs. Jean Silva (155lbs)
Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim (171lbs) vs. Ange Loosa (170lbs)
Featherweight: Julian Erosa (145.5lbs) vs. Christian Rodriguez (145.5lbs)
Middleweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan (185lbs) vs. Cody Brundage (185.5lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Flyweight: Joshua Van (125lbs) vs. Charles Johnson (125.5lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius (125lbs) vs. Fatima Kline (125lbs)
Bantamweight: Montel Jackson (135lbs) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (135.5lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Luana Santos (125lbs) vs. Mariya Agapova (125lbs)
Middleweight: Josh Fremd (186lbs) vs. Andre Petroski (185.5lbs)
Welterweight: Evan Elder (170lbs) vs. Darrius Flowers (170lbs)
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 4, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
Jones says he will return at MSG in November
Ige calls to face Garcia
303 winner makes quick turnaround to face Drew Dober
Jon Jones Says His Return Will Be On November 9 At Madison Square Garden
In a post on social media, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones teased a potential date and location for the first defense of his title.
Despite missing weight for the fight, the Brazilian is now set to make a remarkable two-week turn-around in order to take on Drew Dober up at lightweight.
Dober was originally set to face Mike Davis in a significant bout for the 155-pound fan favorite due to him training out of Denver, Colorado where the card will be hosted.
Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight reported the news that Silva will be looking to pick up his third consecutive win in the UFC after debuting on the first card of 2024.
