The UFC heads to San Antonio in Texas this weekend for a cracking lightweight main event between Diego Lopes and Jean Silva.
The winner of that fight will put themselves right in the title picture in one of the most competitive divisions in the entire UFC.
The UFC has done a terrific job of celebrating Mexican Independence Day in the past and they always put on a great show.
As always, it is not the only quality match up on the card and our best bets can be found below.
Diego Lopes lost his UFC debut fight by decision back in May of 2023 but then proceeded to win his next five straight fights to earn a title fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
He beat Dan Ige and Brian Ortega as part of that winning streak but ultimately lost his chance at UFC gold via unanimous decision against the Aussie legend earlier this year.
Jean Silva has been on a tear in the UFC since he made his debut in 2024 and is undefeated in the biggest promotion in the sport with five straight wins.
This includes knock out wins over Charles Jourdain, Drew Dober and a submission win over well established grappler Bryce Mitchell in April.
Do not underestimate the abilities of both these fighters as they are two of the most well rounded fighters in the entire division and fight fans are in for a treat whether this ends up a striking contest or if it ends up on the canvas.
I’m confident that Jean Silva holds the advantage should the fight stay on the feet as he has a lot of power in his hands but although both men have the ability to end the fight I’m predicting the judges will be needed.
UFC stalwart Rob Font will have his 31st professional MMA fight this weekend as the co-main event at UFC Noche.
He made his debut in the UFC way back in 2014 and has wins over Sergio Pettis, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Moraes during his career.
Seven of his last eight fights have gone to the judges for a decision but he does come into this contest with back to back wins.
The ‘Black Spartan’ David Martinez won a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series this time last year and won via first round knock out in his very first fight in the UFC earlier this year.
10 of his 12 career wins have been via KO/TKO and the Mexican born fighter will be keen to take this opportunity on such an important day for his people.
Jared Gordon has won 21 of his 29 professional MMA fights since 2011 and at 37 years of age he enters the twilight of his career.
A summary of his career in the UFC can be described as quite unlucky when you consider a lot of his losses came against some of the best in the sport.
Losses to Charles Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett and Nasrat Haqparast has stopped him from climbing to the top end of the division in recent years.
I actually thought he beat Pimblett and one of the three judges scored the fight in his favour against Hasparest.
It doesn’t get any easier for him as he takes on Mexican Rafa Garcia who has won five of his last seven fights in the UFC.
Just one of those five wins was a finish but at just 31 years of age, he has youth on his side when compared with his opponent.
In saying that, I’m siding with the more experienced fighter in this contest and am predicting a finish.