When the lights go down at Noche UFC 3 for its main event, all eyes will turn to the featherweight division’s most anticipated clash. Diego Lopes and Jean Silva are set to put everything on the line this Saturday at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, which could shake up the rankings. It’s going to be a battle for a higher spot in the featherweight division, which will later lead them to a title shot.

But how do Diego Lopes and Jean Silva look head-to-head ahead of the big night? And who has the better chance of winning? Let’s find out!

Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva height, weight, reach & ranking

Lopes stands 5 feet 11 inches tall with an extended reach of 72.5 inches. He’s one of the best featherweight fighters the UFC has currently on its roster. To date, Lopes has amassed 26 wins and 7 losses. But one must agree that he’s one of the most well-rounded fighters in the featherweight roster. If we take a look at the stats, the 30-year-old has averaged 3.70 significant strikes landed in a minute with a 47% accuracy. He has also attempted 0.35 takedowns per 15 minutes, with a 40% accuracy. His defense game is also strong. He has absorbed 4.76 significant strikes in a minute and defended 46% of his enemies’ strikes. And his takedown defense is also commendable at 67%. 

Jean Silva, on the other hand, stands 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 69-inch reach. He has way fewer fights registered in his record book and has won 16 fights with only 2 losses. Both Brazilian fighters will be weighing in at the 145-lb featherweight limit during the weigh-ins. However, Silva’s stats slightly overshadow those of Lopes. ‘Lord’ has averaged 4.87 significant strikes landed in a minute and has an accuracy of 52%. He has also defended 56% of significant strikes in his UFC career, while absorbing 4.13 strikes per minute. Silva has a takedown accuracy of 50% and a takedown defense of 86% which is remarkable. 

But who can actually claim a win at the main event of Noche UFC? Will it be the #2 featherweight contender, or the #10 fighter? Let’s take a look.

Lopes vs. Silva prediction: Who wins at Noche UFC?

Jean Silva is definitely on the rise. He’s currently on a 13-fight winning streak and is 5-0 in the UFC. He beat Charles Joudan with an uppercut in the second round, bled Drew Dober in the third round, and in his last match against Bryce Mitchell, he wrapped things up with a pretty impressive ninja choke in the second round. However, Lopes is on a one-fight losing streak. His last bout against Alexander Volkanovski was an utter disappointment for the 30-year-old Brazilian. While it was a loss via a unanimous decision, we all saw the kind of battering he had to endure against ‘The Great’. But his previous fights against Brian Ortega and Dan Ige proved that he’s actually a force to be reckoned with.

Diego Lopes has the height and reach advantage, and having faced someone like Volkanovski, we can expect him to defend himself well against the Fighting Nerd. If Lopes can keep Silva on the outside, use his jab, manage distance, and avoid getting trapped against the cage, he can slow Silva’s offense and score points over rounds. But Silva will try to mix attacks, maybe use takedowns or clinch work, prevent Lopes from resetting, and capitalize on any openings. Nevertheless, it’d be one hell of a match.

Both of them have an equivalent chance to claim victory. After all, MMA is a pretty unpredictable sport. But who do you think would win at Noche UFC?