Jean Silva desires Diego Lopes subsequent.
Again in April, Silva picked up the largest win of his profession, placing Bryce Mitchell to sleep of their highly-publicized grudge match at UFC 314. Not solely did the combat sign Silva’s arrival within the UFC featherweight rankings, but it surely additionally introduced him as a budding star within the firm with how he promoted the bout after which delivered a highlight-reel efficiency. And now he desires to construct on that momentum by squaring off with one of many largest fan favorites within the division – Diego Lopes.
“I need to make it clear that this combat didn’t come to me,” Silva stated on his YouTube channel. “After all, I believe it’s an excellent combat for my sport. I believe it’s good. I examine the man’s sport loads, and I believe it’s an excellent combat for me to compete for the belt later. However I’ll be trustworthy, what do I believe?
“I believe Evloev goes to combat Aaron Pico, who simply entered the UFC. I don’t know if the UFC desires Evloev as champion. So perhaps that is the chance to eliminate him, dropping to Pico? It’s going to be Yair Rodriguez vs. Volkanovski, after which it’s simply me and Diego left. That’s what I believe, perhaps the UFC will do. I’m unsure, however in my opinion, I believe that’s what is sensible now. It might occur. A very good combat. A combat that I believe can be unbelievable.”
In some methods, Lopes is Jean Silva earlier than Jean Silva. Lopes made his promotional debut in 2023, dropping a short-notice bout to Movsar Evloev with a spirited effort. He then rattled off 5 straight wins, with quite a few thrilling finishes to get himself over with the fan base and punch his ticket to a title combat. Sadly for Lopes, he fell quick in that title combat, dropping a call to Alexander Volkanovski in the principle occasion of UFC 314. And whereas preventing “Lord” can be an enormous step again within the rankings for Lopes, Silva thinks he may be capable of leverage it for an enormous alternative.
“If he’s properly forward of me within the rankings, for Diego to simply accept preventing me, he’ll in all probability say, ‘If I beat Jean, I’ll combat for the belt,’” Silva stated. “That’s what he’ll ask the UFC, the UFC will say sure, however he gained’t beat me. So long as he’s with me, he gained’t win. Neglect it.”
As Silva mentions, this far is pure hypothesis at this level, however Silva is pushing for it over a matchup with somebody like Arnold Allen or Lerone Murphy, Prime 10 fighters with quite a few choices on their data. And for those who’re going to match up two of probably the most thrilling featherweights within the sport, why not do it on the cardboard the place two of probably the most thrilling fighters of all-time are throwing down for the “BMF” belt, UFC 318.
“I don’t know the place they might match this combat. Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje for the BMF [at UFC 318]?” Silva steered. “I believe that might be a superb date.”
Brawl. ‘It became serious right away’: Jon Jones addresses Nate Diaz brawl on Russian actuality TV present.
Separate. Ilia Topuria’s former head coach explains parting of how earlier than UFC 317: ‘He wants to fly away.’
Beef. Islam Makhachev trashes ‘average athlete’ Chael Sonnen after claiming he was ducking Ilia Topuria; Sonnen responds.
Doubt. Erin Blanchfield doubts Zhang Weili finds success at flyweight: ‘I don’t really see her even being top 5 at 125.’
China. UFC declares return to Shanghai for Struggle Evening card in August.
Rankings. What do Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria’s moves mean for the UFC’s future?
MMA Combating Rankings Present.
Between the Hyperlinks.
Israel Adesanya and Sean O’Malley coaching collectively.
Good Man/Unhealthy Man, with Chael Sonnen speaking about Islam Makhachev.
Not even making an attempt to be controversial, however is that this combat a “basic”?
Looks as if Movsar Evloev is getting screwed out of a title present.
If you’re a UFC fighter and consider you’re the finest on the planet then you’ve got combat each combat they throw at you, no threat no reward.
See you guys in July, it’s ON #AbuDhabi
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) May 22, 2025
@alexvolkanovski thanks Champ for making an attempt to combat me, I’ll combat in July and also you combat in September, hopefully we each win and we are able to meet in December.
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) May 22, 2025
Talking of deserving challengers.
Zhang Weili, I’ve heard that you simply need to defend your belt in China. Let’s do that!! I’ve at all times wished to go to China. #UFCChina #UFCShanghai
— Virna Jandiroba (@VirnaJandiroba) May 22, 2025
By no means say die (regardless of it showing in your individual identify).
Time to climb the mountain once more ♂️
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) May 23, 2025
Known as out.
Rattling, perhaps you do have sport. I could be your new Merab
— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) May 23, 2025
….what? That is like, a combat that can in all probability occur quickly. Why would this be your selection?
Most individuals are going to say Tom Aspinal vs Jon Jones. It could be an excellent matchup and I might like to see it. However I’m going one other route and trying to see Patchy Combine taking over Sugar Sean O’Malley. Each males are tall lengthy lanky and good in every single place within the cage https://t.co/r8nPmFOG4B
— Huge John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) May 22, 2025
Paul Craig (17-9-1) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-1); UFC Atlanta, June 14.
Benefit from the weekend off MMA, everybody. Spend time along with your family members, go outdoors, or take pleasure in your different hobbies. It’s good to have a while off each as soon as in awhile.
Additionally, no Morning Report on Monday because it’s Memorial Day in the US. So see you subsequent Tuesday.
If you happen to discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.
