Jean Silva continued his tremendous run of results in 2024 with a third victory last night, just two weeks after a big KO at UFC 303.
The Brazilian kicked off his year in style with a first round knockout of Westin Wilson in January to mark his UFC debut after winning his way into the promotion the previous September on Contender Series. He was then due to face William Gomis at UFC 301, but his rival had weight cut issues and was forced out.
Instead, he took the impressive step up on short notice to face Charles Jourdain in Las Vegas, whom he knocked out with an uppercut in the second round. And he was back out again last night within just two weeks, stopping Drew Dober with a gruesome cut that forced doctors to step in.
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Jean Silva finishes Drew Dober as gruesome cut causes doctor’s stoppage
After a controversial night in Las Vegas when he defeated Charles Jourdain, Jean Silva was keen to return properly even after a big win. He missed weight for that bout, and as such was not given a bonus by boss Dana White for what was an otherwise impressive outing.
This time around, having come up to lightweight, he did make the 155lb and went to war with Dober for three rounds. He stepped in as a late notice replacement for Mike Davis, who was forced out with a bicep injury days out from the main card bout.
After finding success with standard elbows in the striking exchanges, he opted in the third to try a spinning one. The elbow landed flush, opening up a truly gruesome gash on his rival’s head which caused referee Herb Dean to step in and call for a doctor to take a look.
And once they had one look at the gash the bout was immediately called off, with Silva being awarded the victory. The crowd were in support of both men after the fact, as they showed a deep respect for one another after the fact.
Jean Silva declares ‘I am different’ after rapid two-week turnaround between fights
The victory was clearly an emotional one for Silva, who joins a rare group of fighters to make such a quick turnaround. He was denied a bonus for missing weight last time out, but received the $50,000 Fight of the Night along with Dober for their efforts last night.
Speaking with Paul Felder in the octagon, Silva said via a translator: “We’re by one of the greatest champions in history right there, Dominick Cruz [who was on commentary for the bout]. He said I am a different guy, and I’m different, I am telling you, I am different.
“The elbows, those hands, everything we planned, we trained this. Everything, we got it.” He then staked his claim for the bonus, adding: “I know I didn’t make weight in my last fight, I apologise. And I know Dana didn’t give me a bonus before.
“But if he wants to give me a bonus tonight, either Fight of the Night or [knockout], two bonuses? Let’s go. But if he doesn’t want me to, no problem. I will take anything.”
Drew Dober blames ‘neanderthal eyebrow’ for UFC Denver loss
After the fact, Silva also paid an emotional tribute to his opponent on the night, noting that he has been a fan of his for years before making it to the UFC in 2023. The pair continued to embrace and Dober was even given a rare losing interview to make his point clear in front of a receptive Denver crowd.
“I just really wanted to thank Drew Dober, a guy who I’ve been following throughout my career,” Silva added. “He’s always proved to people that no matter your size you’re always going to war. What a beautiful family he has and thank you Drew Dober.”
For his part, Dober was similarly respectful, noting that it was his ‘neanderthal eyebrow’ that cost him on the night. “I got these neanderthal eyebrows,” he told Felder while soaking up the applause from a packed house at the Ball Arena.
“They cut open very easily. This is what I mean being a warrior. I will fight anybody. This is what fighting’s all about. We throw hands and we make war.”