This year’s Noche UFC card is no longer a Pay-Per-View, and it’s no longer being hosted in Mexico, but it does have Diego Lopes as headliner.
The popular featherweight is a Brazilian who now calls Mexico home, and he’ll be taking on another rising 145’er, Jean Silva, in the card’s main event. Originally scheduled for Guadalajara, Mexico, construction delays with the planned venue led to the card being shifted to San Antonio, Texas.
The Fight Night event takes place on September 13, 2025. UFC officials announced the main event on social media Tuesday evening.
Lopes (26-7), who also serves as jiu-jitsu coach for the likes of Alexa Grasso, was last seen coming up short against Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title vacated by Ilia Topuria. Prior to that, the veteran of over 30 professional MMA fights had won five straight, including victories over Brian Ortega and Dan Ige, among others.
Jean Silva (16-2) is undefeated through five fights in the UFC, and recently submitted the controversial Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314 in Miami. Silva hasn’t lost a fight since 2018, well prior to his UFC run. The Brazilian is part of the Fighting Nerds camp, who are absolutely red-hot at the moment.
While Lopes is ranked #2 in the UFC’s 145lb division, Lopes is a fair bit behind him at #11, making this a massive opportunity for him to leap up the divisional ladder.
Noche UFC takes place September 13, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, and is timed to coincide with Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16). Thus far, the only other bout reported for the event sees Rafa Garcia facing Jared Gordon.
