Jose Delgado says he is ready for the “dangerous” Jean Silva when the two meet in the featherweight main event of a UFC Fight Night set for the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The main card gets underway at 11pm CAT on 12 September.
Branded as UFC Noche 4 – commemorating Mexico’s independence day – Mexican fighter Delgado (12-2-0) stepped in to replace countryman Yair Rodriguez (who withdrew due to injury) and will take on Silva (17-3).
Delgado, 28, is embracing the challenge offered by the Brazilian, “He's very skilled, he's very good everywhere, but he kind of comes in and does the same thing over and over to these guys.
"It's not the most craziest thing, it's not the most complex thing, but it is dangerous – and I love that energy, and I love how violent and mean of a bastard he is. Like, I love that. I want to play with that energy, and 12 September, I get to do just that.”
A victory over Silva would give Delgado the biggest win of his UFC career and potentially move him up the featherweight rankings. First, however, he will have to back up his confidence against one of the division's most dangerous contenders.
The co-main event features former two-time flyweight champion and Mexican hero Brandon Moreno (23-10-2) taking on Joseph Morales (14-2) – with the latter having put together a five-match winning streak.
Moreno has suffered back-to-back losses, but is excited to take on Morales and be a part of the Noche celebrations.
“To be honest, I was just ready to fight at Noche, you know?" Moreno said. "And I talked with my manager, and I talked with the UFC like, 'Hey, just offer me a fight. I don't care who, and I'll be ready.’”
He added, “[Morales] wants to prove to the world that he's ready to be on the big stage. I know that's going to be super interesting, and he's going to be super dangerous that night. I've prepared myself and am very conscious about it.”
The rest of the main card features Tommy McMillen v Marwan Rahiki in the featherweight division; Mexico’s Alexa Grasso faces Manon Fiorot in the women’s flyweight division; a heavyweight fight pits Waldo Cortes-Acosta against Curtis Blaydes; and the bantamweight opener features Mexican David Martinez battling Dan Ige.
UFC Fight Night: Silva v Delgado – Main card
- Main event: Featherweight: Jean Silva v Jose Delgado
- Flyweight: Brandon Moreno v Joseph Morales
- Featherweight: Tommy McMillen v Marwan Rahiki
- Women’s Flyweight: Manon Fiorot v Alexa Grasso
- Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta v Curtis Blaydes
- Bantamweight: David Martinez v Dan Ige