Noche UFC 3 – Diego Lopes vs Jean Silva: Red-hot finishers collide. Can Lopes’ BJJ chains and front-foot boxing blunt Silva’s power and pace over five?
Matchup Featherweight (145 lb) — 5 Rounds
Tale of the Tape
Age: 30
Height: 5’11" (180 cm)
Reach: 72.5" (184 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Camp: Lobo Gym MMA
Base: BJJ finisher / pressure boxing
Country: 🇧🇷Brazil
Age
Height
Reach
Stance
Camp
Base
Country
Age: 28
Height: 5’7" (170 cm)
Reach: 69" (175 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Camp: Fighting Nerds
Base: Power striker / counter finisher
Country:
Brazil🇧🇷
Recent Form Last 5 fights
Diego Lopes
- L vs Alexander Volkanovski — DEC (UD), UFC 314 (Apr 12, 2025) 5:00 R5
- W vs Brian Ortega — DEC (UD), UFC 306 (Sep 14, 2024) 5:00 R3
- W vs Dan Ige — DEC (UD), UFC 303 (Jun 29, 2024) 5:00 R3
- W vs Sodiq Yusuff — TKO (1:29 R1), UFC 300 (Apr 13, 2024)
- W vs Pat Sabatini — TKO (1:30 R1), UFC 295 (Nov 11, 2023)
Jean Silva
- W vs Bryce Mitchell — SUB (3:52 R2), UFC 314 (Apr 12, 2025)
- W vs Melsik Baghdasaryan — TKO (4:15 R1), UFC Fight Night (Feb 22, 2025)
- W vs Drew Dober — TKO (Dr Stoppage 1:28 R3), UFC Fight Night (Jul 13, 2024)
- W vs Charles Jourdain — TKO (1:22 R2), UFC 303 (Jun 29, 2024)
- W vs Westin Wilson — TKO (4:12 R1), UFC Fight Night (Jan 13, 2024)
Styles, Strengths & Weaknesses
Diego Lopes
- Strengths: Rapid back-takes, front chokes, top pressure; confident pocket boxing entries.
- Weaknesses: Hittable during blitzes; can concede cage control if stuck resetting.
- Game Plan: Feint to level change; clinch trips to half-guard rides; force scrambles to back exposure.
Jean Silva
- Strengths: Fast hands, KO power; sharp counters off slips; sturdy first-layer TDD.
- Weaknesses: Defensive grappling untested deep; can load up when chasing the finish.
- Game Plan: Hold center with jab/low-kick; punish level changes with uppercuts/knees; urgent underhooks at fence.
Win Conditions
Lopes
- Turn scrambles into back control; RNC chains.
- Mix body work with entries to slow Silva’s resets.
- Keep volume honest in rounds 3–5.
Silva
- Counter the level change—knees/uppercuts into sprawls.
- Target calf and body to blunt grappling pace.
- Force pocket exchanges after breaks; deny wrist rides.
Prediction
Pick: Jean Silva by Decision (48-47)
Confidence: ~54% — speed/power edge and cleaner counters over five; Lopes remains a live sub threat if he chains rides.
FAQ
ESPN: How to watch (Prelims 3pm ET / Main 6pm ET)