Fighters Only : Noche UFC Preview: Lopes vs. Silva Headlines as Rising Stars and Veterans Clash

Paul Browne

Sep 11, 2025

The third annual installment of Noche UFC takes place this Saturday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. While the event may not be on the same scale as last year’s edition at the Sphere, the card still offers some tantalizing matchups.

Let’s break down the main card action ahead of UFC Fight Night 259 this weekend.

Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva (Featherweight)

Two of the most exciting fighters in the UFC featherweight division will go head-to-head in this weekend’s main event — a bout that could prove pivotal in the 145-pound title picture.

Diego Lopes (26–7 MMA, 5–2 UFC) looks to return to the win column after his loss to Alexander Volkanovski in their fight for the vacant belt earlier this year. Prior to that title shot, the Mexico-based Brazilian had been on a tear, winning five straight, with three of those victories coming inside the distance.

Jean Silva (16–2 MMA, 5–0 UFC) has a chance to crash the title picture this weekend after an electrifying start to his UFC career. “Lord” has finished all five opponents the UFC has put in front of him so far, giving him the longest active stoppage streak in the division.

While Silva’s teammates have faltered recently, a win over a former title challenger like Lopes could help lift the mood in the Fighting Nerds camp — and would significantly strengthen the 28-year-old’s case to be next in line to challenge for Volkanovski’s belt.

Rob Font vs. David Martinez (Bantamweight)

Veteran Rob Font (22–8 MMA, 12–7 UFC) has a chance to tie TJ Dillashaw’s UFC bantamweight record for most knockout wins (7) when he faces David Martinez (12–1 MMA, 1–0 UFC) in the co-main event this weekend.

Originally slated to face Quang Le, former Combate Global champion Martinez steps in on short notice to replace Raul Rosas Jr. in what will be a major step up in competition. The Mexican fighter only made his Octagon debut this past March, while Font has been a mainstay in the promotion since 2014.

Font has rebounded after a difficult stretch from 2021 to 2023 in which he lost four of five fights. With back-to-back wins over Kyler Philips and Jean Matsumoto over the past year, the 38-year-old remains ranked No. 9 at 135 pounds.

Rafa Garcia vs. Jared Gordon (Lightweight)

Two fighters coming off strong wins earlier this year will look to build momentum in the 155-pound division. Rafa Garcia (17–4 MMA, 5–4 UFC) from Mexico initially struggled after signing with the UFC in 2021, but after winning three of his last four fights, “Gifted” appears to be gaining steam.

Standing across the Octagon from Garcia on Saturday will be Jared Gordon (21–7 MMA, 9–6 UFC), who scored an impressive first-round knockout over Thiago Moises in his last outing in May.

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (Middleweight)

Former middleweight interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum (19–10 MMA, 13–10 UFC) will be searching for his first win since returning to 185 pounds when he faces Dustin Stoltzfus (16–7 MMA, 3–6 UFC) on Saturday’s main card.

Gastelum was outpointed by the much larger Joe Pyfer in his last outing at UFC 316 in June, while Stoltzfus has alternated wins and losses over his last seven UFC appearances, most recently dropping a decision to Nursulton Ruziboev in May.

Santiago Luna vs Quang Le (Bantamweight)

Twenty-one-year-old Santiago Luna (6–0 MMA, 0–0 UFC) steps up to the big stage this weekend as he makes his UFC debut in the main card opener against Quang Le (9–2 MMA, 1–2 UFC).

The unbeaten prospect enters the UFC with a 100% finish rate, while Le finally earned his first Octagon win on his third attempt in May by submitting Gaston Bolanos.

PRELIMINARY CARD