Jean Silva, Noche UFC Ceremonials Credit: Eddie Law/Cageside Press
The fourth annual Noche UFC event, and the second consecutive one headlined by Jean Silva, was an up-and-down affair for Mexican fighters. While former champions Brandon Moreno and Alexa Grasso saw their hands raised, Jessie Rosas, Rafa Garcia and Edgar Chairez all suffered losses.
In the main event, youngster Jose Miguel Delgado’s attempt to flip the featherweight division on its head by filling in for Yair Rodriguez didn’t go his way, despite a valiant effort. With Noche UFC in the books, let’s look at what’s next for the winners.
Jean Silva
Jean Silva is now 1-1 in Noche UFC main events, submitting Jose Miguel Delgado in the third round. After overcoming come adversity in the opening frame, Silva showed why he was a heavy favourite by systematically breaking Delgado down on his way to dropping him and quickly taking his neck. While Delgado was neither as highly ranked nor held the same name value as Yair Rodriguez, this should still be seen as a solid victory by Silva.
There are several factors working in Silva’s favour when it comes to a title shot. Diego Lopes apparently moving up to lightweight and the UFC having proven time and time again to not be big fans of Lerone Murphy or Aljamain Sterling and Yair pulling out of this fight, that leaves Silva as probably next in line after UFC 333.
Silva’s next fight: Volkanovski/Evloev winner
Brandon Moreno
After losing twice in the span of two and a half months, one time getting beat up and the other having no life, most fans were starting to think Brandon Moreno was dangerously close to being washed. While clearly being post-prime, a win of any kind was going to do wonders for his viability in the division. A split decision win against Joseph Morales isn’t going to propel him back into title contention, but it will allow him to hold serve and still have a role in the flyweight top10. At this point, I’d be curious to see if a prospect like Rei Tsuruya can overcome this version of “The Assassin Baby”.
Moreno’s next fight: Rei Tsuruya
Tommy McMillen
After beating fellow undefeated prospect Marwan Rahiki, Tommy McMillen is now 3-0 in 2026 and making a run for Rookie of the Year honours. There has been a slow, but steady increase in McMillen’s quality of opposition. By going toe-to-toe with another slugger like Rahiki and getting the better of him, I think McMillen might be ready for the ultimate test as an undefeated prospect: C-Rod. Christian Rodriguez has been known to take the 0 off several unbeaten prospects, so a win for McMillen would actually give him some legitimacy as more than a brawler.
McMillen’s next fight: Christian Rodriguez
Alexa Grasso
After her back-to-back losses to Valentina Shevchenko in the trilogy bout and then to Natalia Silva, it looked like Alexa Grasso’s days at the top of the flyweight division were clearly behind her. Since then, she produced one of the most violent finishes of the year against the streaking Maycee Barber, and has now added a unanimous decision win against perennial top5 contender Manon Fiorot. With Shevchenko certainly set to face the winner of the UFC332 main event, Grasso will need to fight again before thinking a title shot will be in order. For that reason, a fight with the winner of the upcoming Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius matchup makes perfect sense as a number one contender fight.
Grasso’s next fight: Blanchfield/Jasudavicius winner
Curtis Blaydes
While this win won’t get much fanfare, beating a contender like Waldo Cortes-Acosta five months after that Josh Hokit loss really tells us what Curtis Blaydes is made of. He still proves to be a tough out for anyone and someone you would categorize as an elite gatekeeper. With the title picture at heavyweight already being so clogged up, the promotion most likely has zero interest inserting him into it. He will probably need to stakc up a couple more wins before the UFC starts taking him seriously again. So why not bring on Mario Pinto up next?
Blaydes’ next fight: Mario Pinto
David Martinez
While David Martinez’s offense seems to have hit a ceiling against the Rob Fonts, Marlon Veras and Dan Iges of the world, those are still very solid names to defeat in consecutive contests. It’s therefore not outrageous to suggest matching him up with someone ranked above those names. At 34 years old, and coming off back-to-back losses, including a leg injury, Cory Sandhagen has never looked so vulnerable. Let’s see if Martinez can get the better of him, at this stage of both of their careers.
Martinez’s next fight: Cory Sandhagen