Diego Lopes and Jean Silva had one iconic stare-down ahead of Noche UFC.
One of the best face-offs of the year took place in San Antonio, Texas, as Brazilian featherweight contenders Jean Silva and Diego Lopes are pitted against each other in the main event of Noche UFC.
The fighters made the featherweight limit on Friday morning, and look to seize a potential UFC title shot against Alexander Volkanovski with a win on Saturday night.
Lopes and Silva have had a couple of altercations throughout fight week and tensions were running high in their final face-off before the Octagon.
Jean Silva and Diego Lopes face off for over a minute at Noche UFC
Silva barked like a dog after he stepped onto the scale for the Noche UFC ceremonial weigh-ins.
The annual event commemorates the Mexican fighting spirit on Mexican Independence Day weekend. While he’s Brazilian, Lopes insists he ‘fights like a Mexican’, carrying both country’s flags to his face-off with Silva.
As Lopes handed his flags to his team, Silva was already staring at his opponent from across the stage.
Lopes and Silva locked eyes for a minute and 14 seconds, both men refusing to break eye contact despite security holding them back and Brendan Fitzgerald interviewing Silva.
Shortly after his interview was over and still staring each other down, Silva walked menacingly towards Lopes. Security got in his way, telling him to exit the stage.
Silva was slowly backed up as Lopes finally broke eye contact for his own interview.
Jean Silva and Diego Lopes have a combined 37 finishes
Scheduled for five rounds, Lopes vs. Silva could very well end in one.
The Brazilians are two of the most dangerous featherweights on the planet. Lopes dropped champion Volkanovski in his last fight and boasts a 84% finish rate with 10 KO’s and 12 submissions.
Silva is riding a 13-fight win streak. Only one of his pro career wins has come by decision.
‘The Fighting Nerds’ star has 12 KO’s on his record and three submissions.
Silva has never been finished in his career, but Lopes has—twice.