Latest news with #DiegoLopes
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Announces First Nine Fights For Noche UFC Card In San Antonio
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Diego Lopes of Brazil reacts prior to fighting Alexander Volkanovski of ... More Australia in a featherweight title fight during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) The 2025 version of the Noche UFC fight card is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Headlining the fight is what promises to be an exciting featherweight matchup between recent UFC title challenger Diego Lopes and the surging Jean Silva. The UFC recently announced the first nine bouts for the Noche UFC fight card. Noche UFC Fight Card: Official Fights Diego Lopes (26-7) vs. Jean Silva (16-2): Featherweight Tatianna Suarez (11-1) vs. Amanda Lemos (15-4-1): Strawweight Raquel Pennington (16-10) vs. Norma Dumont (12-2): Women's bantamweight Claudio Puellas (13-4) vs. Joaquim Silva (13-6): Lightweight Edgar Chairez (12-6-0-1) vs. Alessandro Costa (14-4): Flyweight Rafa García (17-4) vs. Jared Gordon (21-7-0-1): Lightweight José Daniel Medina (11-5) vs. Duško Todorović (12-6): Middleweight Jesús Aguilar (11-3) vs. Luis Gurule (10-1): Flyweight Montserrat Rendon (6-1) vs. Alice Pereira (5-0): Women's bantamweight Noche UFC Fight Card Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Noche UFC Fight Card Location: Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas Noche UFC Tickets: On Sale on Friday, July 25 Noche UFC Main Event: Diego Lopes Vs. Jean Silva LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Diego Lopes of Brazil reacts to his victory over Dan Ige in a 165-pound ... More catchweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Diego Lopes (26-7) is the No. 2 fighter in the official UFC featherweight rankings. Lopes joined the UFC in May 2023, dropping his promotional debut to Movsar Evloev via decision. Lopes followed that setback with five straight wins. A win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306 earned Lopes a shot at the vacant UFC featherweight title against former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314 in April of this year. Lopes dropped that fight by decision. After his loss, I wrote: "In my preview of this fight, I said that this matchup was too fast, too soon for Diego Lopes, but that it would prove to be a good learning experience for him. The fight essentially played out in that manner. "Lopes was a game fighter throughout the 25-minute affair, but he didn't make adjustments. His game plan was to move forward, pressure Volkanovski and land with power. That's not a bad game plan for 99 percent of the UFC featherweights, but Volkanovski is an outlier, and as such, Lopes was not fully prepared for the level of fighter he faced on Saturday night. 'With this fight behind him, I expect Lopes will be better in his next title fight, and there will be a next title fight for him.' At Noche UFC we find out what Lopes learned from facing one of the best to ever compete at 145 pounds. DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 13: Jean Silva of Brazil reacts after his TKO victory over Drew Dober in a ... More lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Ball Arena on July 13, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) A member of The Fighting Nerds team out of Brazil, Jean Silva (16-2) joined the UFC in September 2023 when he scored a UFC contract thanks to a decision win over Kevin Vallejos on a Dana White's Contender Series card. Silva extended his winning streak to eight straight with his win over Vallejos. Vallejos, who signed with the UFC following a 2024 DWCS win, is the last fighter to go the distance with Silva. Since his DWCS win, Silva has picked up four knockout victories, one submission and three straight fight-night bonus awards. Silva is coming off a dominant performance at UFC 314, submitting Bryce Mitchell in the second round. After his win over Mitchell, UFC commentator Joe Rogan said Silva, 'looks like a world champion.' Silva enters Noche UFC as the No. 10 ranked featherweight. We will have more on the upcoming Noche UFC fight card as the UFC Fight Night event approaches, including previews, odds, and predictions.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC featherweight rankings: Alexander Volkanovski returns to No. 1 spot after UFC 314
The UFC featherweight rankings showcase some of the best fighters in the entire sport. Where lightweight was once considered the deepest weight class in MMA, 145 pounds has caught up and become one of the premier divisions in the UFC. With that in mind, here is the official Sportsnaut top 10 for the organization's featherweight class. Related: 1. Alexander Volkanovski (27-4) Alexander Volkanovski has solidified his place as the best featherweight of all time. However, trips up in weight for a second title and the rise of Ilia Topuria led to three straight losses for 'The Great' and speculation that his best days were behind him. With Topuria choosing to leave the division and move up to lightweight, the Australian was gifted another chance at the 145-pound belt at UFC 314 when he faced Diego Lopes for the vacant title. In April, the legend turned back the clock one more time and proved he is still an elite fighter to become a two-time featherweight champ. 2. Movsar Evloev (19-0) Movsar Evloev has been outstanding to begin his UFC career. He has won his first nine inside the Octagon and scored wins over proven featherweight veterans like Hakeem Dawodu and Dan Ige. He took another step closer to title contention when he scored a hard-fought victory over former bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310. While it wasn't easy, he was under pressure in a big moment and came through looking like a future title challenger. 3. Diego Lopes (26-7) After making his UFC debut in a very difficult short-notice clash with Movsar Evloev, Diego Lopes has caught fire inside the Octagon. He has won five straight and scored wins over top 15 stalwarts Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige, and, most recently, a UFC 306 win over former title challenger Brian Ortega. That is why he fought for gold at UFC 314. While he gave a solid effort, his loss to Alexander Volkanovski showed he still has some work to do if he wants to be a UFC champion one day. 4. Lerone Murphy (16-0-1) England's Lerone Murphy has quietly become one of the best 145-pound fighters in the world. 'The Miracle' has won eight straight inside the Octagon, and none was bigger than his latest victory at UFC Vegas 105 over Josh Emmett. The American has been a stalwart of the top 10 for years, so scoring a win over one of the weight class's elite went a long way toward proving the undefeated has serious title contender potential 5. Yair Rodriguez (19-5) After a period where he battled injuries and some tough losses, there was doubt as to whether Yair Rodriguez would ever reach his potential. He quieted all the uncertainty with massive wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett. The latter made him the new interim champion. However, his reign was short-lived as Alexander Volkanovski took back the undisputed spot at UFC 290. He then followed that up with another decisive loss in his home country to Brian Ortega in February. He entered UFC 314 in a must-win situation if he ever wanted to fight for UFC gold again. In a big fight welcoming Patricio Pitbull to the UFC, 'El Pantera' posted a dominant win to get his name back in the championship conversation. 6. Josh Emmett (19-5) Over the last five years, few fighters at 145 pounds have been better and more consistent than Josh Emmett. Over his 15-fight UFC career, he has scored huge wins over fights like Shane Burgos, Calvin Kattar, Dan Ige and Bryce Mitchell. However, at 40, Father Time is tapping on his shoulder. While he is still a very good fighter, he has lost three of his last four fights, and his dream of one day fighting for UFC gold is done. 7. Arnold Allen (20-3) There are few fighters who have been better than Arnold Allen over the last decade. His recent 11-fight win streak was one of the best in division history, and it turned him into one of the United Kingdom's top fighters. However, his title-contender hopes were derailed in a decisive loss to Max Holloway. That was followed up by another setback to Movsar Evloev. However, he bounced back at UFC 304 with an important victory over talented striker Giga Chikadze. 8. Jean Silva (16-2) If there were any doubts about how good Jean Silva is, he sent a massive message to the division at UFC 314. He passed a huge test by completely shutting down Bryce Mitchell's grappling and pummeled him on the feet. But even better, instead of getting another knockout win, he actually submitted the American. He has won 13 straight overall and all five in the Octagon. 'Lord' is a problem. 9. Aljamain Sterling (24-5) After an outstanding run at bantamweight that should land him a run in the UFC Hall of Fame one day, Aljamain Sterling made the jump to featherweight in 2024. While he has split his first two in the division, he has faced elite-level competition in Calvin Kattar (win) and Movsar Evloev (loss). While he may never fight for gold at 145 pounds, he will be a big problem for any fighter in the top 10 for as long as he stays in it. 10. Youssef Zalal (17-5-1) After losing three straight and being on the brink of being cut, Youssef Zalal has caught fire over the last three years. In that time, he has won seven straight, with the biggest yet coming in February when he scored a definitive win over top 15 stalwart Calvin Kattar. Related Headlines Six Philadelphia Eagles Who Must Step Up for Another Super Bowl Run Steelers Make T.J. Watt Highest-Paid Defender in NFL History Derrick Lewis Next Fight: 3 Options for 'Black Beast's' UFC Return, Including Sergei Pavlovich UFC Lightweight Rankings: Where Do Poirier and Holloway Land Ahead of UFC 318 Showdown?
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
UFC's Marc Ratner: Guadalajara event still in plans after 'arena wasn't quite ready'
The octagon will eventually land in Guadalajara and its new arena, but delayed construction forced an alteration to this year's Noche UFC festivities. It was originally announced that the third-annual Noche UFC event to celebrated Mexican Independence Day would, for the first time, take place in Mexico. The card was set for Sept. 13 in Guadalajara, but it was subsequently shifted to San Antonio, Texas, where the card headlined by Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva will now unfold. Although things didn't go according to plan this time, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner admits returning to the city and venue in the future remains a priority. "Guadalajara is still in our plans," Ratner told MMA Junkie Radio in a recent interview. "The arena wasn't quite ready yet. The roof and stuff needed more work and we couldn't go there without having everything really done. I think you will see it. Maybe not this year, but we'll go back there. We want to go back there." The UFC's first Noche UFC event in 2023 went down at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It levelled up in 2024, with the card taking place at Sphere in Las Vegas in one of the most elaborately-produced events in UFC history. Ratner said a return to Sphere is not currently in consideration and, as UFC CEO Dana White said previously, it was likely a one-off. "I have heard no rumblings (of another Sphere show)," Ratner said. "It was a very expensive show. Was over $20 million spent on all the production and stuff. It was a huge success. I loved being involved there and being there. Whether we go back I don't have that answer, but so far no rumblings."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Noche Main Event Announced: Lopes Returns Against Jean Silva
UFC Noche Main Event Announced: Lopes Returns Against Jean Silva originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC Noche has quickly cemented itself as one of the most celebrated fight nights on the calendar. Held each year in honor of Mexican Independence Day, the 2025 edition is locked in for September 13 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. And this year, the main event delivers a banger—featuring a fan-favorite contender stepping back into the fire after being medically sidelined. Advertisement Diego Lopes, the 30-year-old Brazilian known for his wild hair and even wilder fighting style, is back. He went the distance with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314 in a gritty, five-round war that showcased his heart, chin, and championship mettle—even in defeat. UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC That loss earned him respect, but also an indefinite medical suspension from the Florida State Athletic Commission due to the punishment he absorbed. Now medically cleared, Lopes is ready to remind everyone why he's must-watch TV. Diego LopesImagn Opposite him stands Jean Silva, a 28-year-old unbeaten Brazilian savage who's been quietly building a storm. After choking out Bryce Mitchell in the second round of their UFC 314 bout, Silva extended his UFC win streak to six and made it clear he's not here to wait in line. This isn't just a fight—it's a collision between a streaking finisher and a battle-tested technician with main event experience. Jean SilvaGetty Images UFC President Dana White isn't pulling punches. With UFC Noche and Canelo vs. Crawford both landing on Mexican Independence Day weekend, the combat sports world is in for a double-dose of chaos. White has assured fans both mega events will complement rather than compete, setting the stage for a historic night of fireworks in and out of the cage. Lopes is back. Silva's coming in hot. And with legacy, bragging rights, and highlight reels on the line—UFC Noche might just steal the show. Advertisement Related: UFC Veteran Retires After Winning 2 of the Last 3 Fights Related: 'Everybody Would Hate Me' – UFC Fan Favorite Eyes WWE Run Amid Talks with Triple H This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Alexander Volkanovski's UFC title reign up in the air as champion is denied preferred fight
Alexander Volkanovski 's next fight is up in the air, after the UFC champion's preferred challenger declared he is fighting a fellow contender this summer. Volkanovski reclaimed the featherweight throne in April, outpointing Diego Lopes to win the belt that Ilia Topuria vacated in February. Twelve months earlier, Topuria knocked out Volkanovski to become champion, ending the Australian's four-year reign. And Volkanovski, looking to build a strong second stint with the belt, had made clear his desire to defend the gold against Movsar Evloev first. The Russian is unbeaten at 19-0 and last fought in December, outpointing ex-bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Evloev was the most obvious next challenger for Volkanovski, 36, but the 31-year-old tweeted on Thursday (22 May): 'If you are a UFC fighter and believe you are the best in the world then you have fight every fight they throw at you. 'No risk no reward. See you guys in July, it's ON #AbuDhabi. '@alexvolkanovski thank you Champ for trying to fight me, I will fight in July and you fight in September, hopefully we both win and we can meet in December.' It is suspected that Evloev could face new signing Aaron Pico, 28, who has joined the UFC from Bellator, while Volkanovski's next challenger may be Yair Rodriguez through a process of elimination. While Volkanovski beat the Mexican handily in 2023, stopping him in round three, Rodriguez recorded a significant win against former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull last time out. Admittedly, that decision victory only snapped a two-fight losing streak for Rodriguez, who was submitted by Brian Ortega after his defeat by Volk. However, the only fighters above the 32-year-old in the rankings are: Topuria, who has moved up to challenge for the lightweight strap; Lopes, who just lost to Volkanovski; and Max Holloway, who is booked to fight at lightweight in July (and who Volkanovski has beaten three times). Furthermore, with the UFC having booked its pay-per-view main events for June, July and August, the next free headline slot is September's UFC 320 in Mexico – Rodriguez's home country. But there are ongoing issues with the new Arena Guadalajara, meaning the event could yet be moved. UFC 320 has already suffered a setback, with a boxing super-fight between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Terence Crawford being moved from 12 September to 13 September, the same night as the UFC show. That is despite a plan for UFC president Dana White to co-promote the boxing event with Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh. With both fight cards playing out on the same night, it seems unlikely that White will be involved in Canelo vs Crawford. It is unclear what that means for his new working relationship with Alalshikh under TKO Boxing.
