As the division’s No. 2-ranked featherweight contender, Lopes had the job of defending his position against 10th-ranked Silva, whose impressive performances led to him being installed as the betting favourite during fight week.
But, as the action unfolded, it was Lopes who threatened to finish the fight early as he took advantage of a wild spin from Silva to take him to the mat. With plenty of time to work and starting from the mount position, things looked bleak for Silva, especially given the fact that Lopes had already claimed 12 of his 26 prior victories via submission.
But Silva did well to survive, then escape, as he managed to get out of the round. And as the second round got underway, Silva turned up the aggression to 11 as he looked to force his gameplan on his opponent.
But, as Silva came charging in throwing heavy leather, Lopes punished him for over-committing to another spinning elbow as he unleashed one of his own that sent Silva down to the canvas.
Lopes followed up with a barrage of ground strikes to force referee Mike Beltran to step in and wave off the fight with 12 seconds left in the round.
The night was a celebration of Mexican fighting heritage, and saw Mexican fighters go 5-0 on the night.
In the co-main event, bantamweight David Martinez outworked longtime contender Rob Font, while at lightweight, Rafa Garcia stopped Jared Gordon in the third round.
Bantamweight Santiago Luna needed just over half a round to knock out Vietnam’s Quang Le, flyweight Jesus Aguilar claimed a unanimous decision win over Luis Gurule, and Montse Rendon edged a split-decision verdict over the UFC’s youngest fighter, 19-year-old Alice Pereira.
Noche UFC: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Diego Lopes def. Jean Silva via TKO (spinning back elbow and punches) – Round 2, 4:48
- David Martinez def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rafa Garcia def. Jared Gordon via TKO (elbows) – Round 3, 2:27
- Kelvin Gastelum def. Dustin Stoltzfus via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alexander Hernandes def. Diego Ferreira via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:46
- Santiago Luna def. Quang Le via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:48
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Dusko Todorovic def. Jose Medina via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:21
- Joaquim Silva def. Claudio Puelles via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Tatiana Suarez def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jesus Aguilar def. Luis Gurule via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Zachary Reese vs Sedriques Dumas ruled a no contest (accidental groin strike) – Round 1, 0:51
- Alden Coria def. Alessandro Costa via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:47
- Monte Rendon def. Alice Pereira via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
- Daniil Donchenko def. Rodrigo Sezinando via TKO (punches) – Round 2 – wins The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 welterweight tournament
