Event: Noche UFC: Lopes vs. Silva (also called UFC Fight Night 259 / Noche UFC 3)
Date & Venue: September 13, 2025 — Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas.
Key Outcomes:
- Diego Lopes defeated Jean Silva by TKO (strikes) in Round 2 (4:48).
- Lopes used a spinning back elbow to hurt Silva, followed up with punches to end the fight.
- This was Silva’s first loss by KO/TKO in UFC; he had a 13-fight win streak prior.
- David Martinez vs Rob Font
Martinez won via unanimous decision (29-28 on all three cards). - Rafa Garcia defeated Jared Gordon via third-round TKO.
- Notably, Gordon fought despite reportedly being hit by a car the previous day, injuring his knee. He wore a knee sleeve for the fight.
- Kelvin Gastelum beat Dustin Stoltzfus by unanimous decision.
- Alexander Hernandez also won by TKO in Round 2 over Diego Ferreira.
- Santiago Luna – made a strong impression in his debut, knocking out Quang Le in the first round.
- A prelim fight Tatiana Suarez vs Amanda Lemos: Suarez won by unanimous decision (all judges 29-28).
Bonuses & Highlights:
- Fight of the Night: Diego Lopes vs Jean Silva.
- Performance of the Night: Diego Lopes and Santiago Luna each earned Performance bonuses.
Aftermath & Reactions:
- Jean Silva’s Response: Silva released a statement recognizing that in his fight against Lopes, he let emotions get the better of him, admitting he drifted from the game plan and that he will reflect, learn, and improve.
- Rankings / Title Implications: Lopes’s win reinserts him into featherweight contention; Silva’s loss likely pushes him down in rankings.
🔔 Retirements & Career Moves
- Paul Craig has officially retired from MMA / UFC. Wikipedia+1
- His last fight was a KO loss to Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Paris.
- Craig was known as “The Bearjew,” admired for his submission game (especially triangles), and had a long career facing tough opponents.
- Melissa Martinez (UFC strawweight) announced her retirement just days before her brother David Martinez fought at Noche UFC. She’s 28.
🔭 Upcoming Fights & Future Moves
- Arman Tsarukyan is returning to competition on September 19, 2025, in a grappling superfight against former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson at ACBJJ 18 in Moscow, Russia.
- Though primarily an MMA fighter, this grappling bout helps him stay active as he recovers from having pulled out of a title fight and as he balances future UFC plans.
- Conor McGregor has vowed to return at a UFC event held at the White House in 2026, tied to the “America 250” celebrations.
- He rejoined the UFC’s anti-doping program, signaling seriousness. But no opponent is confirmed, and UFC has stated no fight will be booked before February 2026.
