{"id":137097,"date":"2025-09-12T06:56:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T06:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/137097\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T06:56:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T06:56:07","slug":"featherweight-standouts-rumble-for-likely-title-shot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/137097\/","title":{"rendered":"Featherweight Standouts Rumble For Likely Title Shot"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, UFC Noche<\/a> 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\u2019s own David Martinez.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

UFC Noche 3 Main Event<\/p>\n

Back in April at UFC 314, Lopes<\/a> engaged in arguably the best fight in his weight class of the year when he clashed with previous champion Alexander Volkanovski<\/a> 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.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Embarking on a 13-bout undefeated run, Silva<\/a> 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, \u201cLord\u201d can call himself the first man from the reputable Fighting Nerds gym to contend for a UFC strap should he manage to defeat Lopes.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

UFC Noche 3 Co-Main Event<\/p>\n

A member of the organization\u2019s roster since 2014, Font<\/a> 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.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u2019s who of the division for years. Despite the experience difference between him and his adversary, \u201cBlack Spartan\u201d is not unfamiliar with facing seasoned opposition after besting 30-contest veteran Jose Zarauz on the regional scene.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

More Bouts On the UFC Noche Main Card<\/p>\n

Rounding out the main card, Rafa Garc\u00eda<\/a> locks horns with Jared Gordon. Then, Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

UFC Noche 3 Predictions and Staff Picks<\/p>\n

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world\u2019s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship<\/a> (UFC), the Professional Fighters League<\/a> (PFL), ONE Championship<\/a> (ONE FC), and Dana White\u2019s Contender Series<\/a> (DWCS).<\/p>\n

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

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 <\/a>or a detailed chain from Championship Chains<\/a>. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.<\/p>\n

Find our UFC Noche 3 picks and fight odds below.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Staff records after Dana White\u2019s Contender Series Ep. 80:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hank Strandberg: 154-86
\n Drew Zuhosky: 118-122
\n Frazer Krohn: 116-87
\n Jeremy Brand: 112-80
\n Andrew Benjamin: 34-93<\/p>\n

*Note \u2013 not all staff pick for every event*<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Santiago Luna -260
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vs.
\nQuang Le +220
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0BANTAMWEIGHT<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Brand:\u00a0
Hank Strandberg: Le by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Drew Zuhosky: Le by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Frazer Krohn: Luna by Unanimous Decision\u00a0\u00a0
Andrew Benjamin: Luna by Unanimous Decision<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Staff picking Luna: 2<\/p>\n

Staff picking Le: 2<\/p>\n

Kelvin Gastelum -230
\nVs.
\nDustin Stoltzfus +195
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0MIDDLEWEIGHT<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Brand:\u00a0
Hank Strandberg: Gastelum by Unanimous Decision\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
Drew Zuhosky: Stoltzfus by First Round Knockout \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
Frazer Krohn: Gastelum by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Andrew Benjamin: Gastelum by Unanimous Decision \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Staff picking Gastelum: 3<\/p>\n

Staff picking Stoltzfus: 1<\/p>\n

Jared Gordon -240
\nVs.
\nRafa Garcia +205
\nLIGHTWEIGHT<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Brand:\u00a0
Hank Strandberg: Gordon by Unanimous Decision \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
Drew Zuhosky: Gordon by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Frazer Krohn: Gordon by Third Round Knockout\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
Andrew Benjamin: Gordon by Split Decision\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Staff picking Gordon: 4<\/p>\n

Staff picking Garcia: 0<\/p>\n

Rob Font -125
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vs.
\nDavid Martinez +105
\n\u00a0BANTAMWEIGHT<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Brand: \u00a0
Hank Strandberg: Font by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Drew Zuhosky: Font by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Frazer Krohn: Font by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Font by Split Decision\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Staff picking Font: 4<\/p>\n

Staff picking Martinez: 0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Jean Silva -231
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vs.
\nDiego Lopes +196
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0FEATHERWEIGHT<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Brand: \u00a0
Hank Strandberg: Lopes by Unanimous Decision\u00a0
Drew Zuhosky: Lopes by Unanimous Decision\u00a0\u00a0
Frazer Krohn: Lopes by Fourth Round Submission\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
Andrew Benjamin: Silva by Split Decision\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Staff picking Silva: 1<\/p>\n

Staff picking Lopes: 3<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, UFC Noche puts on one of the most anticipated…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":137098,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[64,63,786,785,85],"class_list":["post-137097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-fighting","tag-mma","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137097"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137097\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}