From the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, UFC Noche puts on one of the most anticipated featherweight bouts of the year when Brazilian phenoms Diego Lopes and Jean Silva meet in an electrifying contest. Before that, however, bantamweight stalwart Rob Font puts his two-fight winning streak on the line against Mexico’s own David Martinez.    

UFC Noche 3 Main Event

Back in April at UFC 314, Lopes engaged in arguably the best fight in his weight class of the year when he clashed with previous champion Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant strap. Although he fell short to the Aussie, Lopes can still place himself solidly into the championship picture by handing his countryman the first setback of his UFC tenure.   

Embarking on a 13-bout undefeated run, Silva is easily among the brightest young talents currently in the promotion, having just recently submitted Jiu-Jitsu black belt Bryce Mitchell earlier this Spring with a sensational ninja choke. With the belt now just within arms reach, “Lord” can call himself the first man from the reputable Fighting Nerds gym to contend for a UFC strap should he manage to defeat Lopes.            

UFC Noche 3 Co-Main Event

A member of the organization’s roster since 2014, Font has become a staple addition of the 135-lb upper echelon with notable victories over Sergio Pettis, Marlon Moraes and Cody Garbrandt. Looking to extend his winning streak to three, the New England-based striking specialist must now turn away another stellar prospect on his road toward UFC gold.           

Impressing in spades in his promotional debut this past March with an empathic knockout win over Saimon Oliveira, Martinez makes his second walk to the Octagon against a man who has fought the who’s who of the division for years. Despite the experience difference between him and his adversary, “Black Spartan” is not unfamiliar with facing seasoned opposition after besting 30-contest veteran Jose Zarauz on the regional scene.                   

More Bouts On the UFC Noche Main Card

Rounding out the main card, Rafa García locks horns with Jared Gordon. Then, Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum comes to blows with Dustin Stoltzfus. Also, streaking lightweight fighter Alexander Hernandez puts his momentum on the line when he grapples with the grizzled Carlos Diego Ferreira. And opening the main card festivities, Santiago Luna makes his freshman appearance in the UFC opposite Minnesota-based competitor Quang Le.

UFC Noche 3 Predictions and Staff Picks

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.

The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.

Find our UFC Noche 3 picks and fight odds below. 

Staff records after Dana White’s Contender Series Ep. 80: 

Hank Strandberg: 154-86
Drew Zuhosky: 118-122
Frazer Krohn: 116-87
Jeremy Brand: 112-80
Andrew Benjamin: 34-93

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

 

Santiago Luna -260
     Vs.
Quang Le +220
    BANTAMWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: 
Hank Strandberg: Le by Unanimous Decision 
Drew Zuhosky: Le by Unanimous Decision 
Frazer Krohn: Luna by Unanimous Decision  
Andrew Benjamin: Luna by Unanimous Decision

 

Staff picking Luna: 2

Staff picking Le: 2

Kelvin Gastelum -230
Vs.
Dustin Stoltzfus +195
                MIDDLEWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: 
Hank Strandberg: Gastelum by Unanimous Decision                                                 
Drew Zuhosky: Stoltzfus by First Round Knockout      
Frazer Krohn: Gastelum by Unanimous Decision 
Andrew Benjamin: Gastelum by Unanimous Decision       

 

Staff picking Gastelum: 3

Staff picking Stoltzfus: 1

Jared Gordon -240
Vs.
Rafa Garcia +205
LIGHTWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand: 
Hank Strandberg: Gordon by Unanimous Decision                                                         
Drew Zuhosky: Gordon by Unanimous Decision 
Frazer Krohn: Gordon by Third Round Knockout                                                     
Andrew Benjamin: Gordon by Split Decision 

 

Staff picking Gordon: 4

Staff picking Garcia: 0

Rob Font -125
     Vs.
David Martinez +105
 BANTAMWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand:  
Hank Strandberg: Font by Unanimous Decision 
Drew Zuhosky: Font by Unanimous Decision 
Frazer Krohn: Font by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Font by Split Decision  

 

Staff picking Font: 4

Staff picking Martinez: 0

Jean Silva -231
     Vs.
Diego Lopes +196
           FEATHERWEIGHT

 

Jeremy Brand:  
Hank Strandberg: Lopes by Unanimous Decision 
Drew Zuhosky: Lopes by Unanimous Decision  
Frazer Krohn: Lopes by Fourth Round Submission   
Andrew Benjamin: Silva by Split Decision   

 

Staff picking Silva: 1

Staff picking Lopes: 3