Noche UFC returns for the third year in a row, with a lot to look out for on a day to celebrate Mexican independence.
The event takes place on September 13 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, although it clashes with Dana White’s debut in boxing promotion as Canelo Alvarez takes on Terence Crawford.
The main event features two Brazilians duking it out, with a potential title shot likely in the future for the winner of the Featherweight bout.
Here are some key things to look out for at Noche UFC 3, including Jean Silva’s potential title shot and a veteran fighter battling to keep his career alive.
- READ MORE – Potential breakout stars at Noche UFC 3 including a dominant Ukrainian and the youngest female fighter ever
Kelvin Gastelum could be cut from the UFC roster if he loses his fight at Noche UFC 3
Noche UFC 3 could be the last chance saloon for Kelvin Gastelum. The American fighter is a fan-favorite thanks to some incredible bouts over the years, but his record in the Middleweight division leaves a lot to be desired.
Gastelum has racked up more losses than wins in the last five years, achieving victory in just 3 of the 8 fights he’s had since 2020.
He admitted to MMA Junkie that he may be cut if he loses to Dustin Stoltzfus in the co-main event of the show, as this could be his swansong in the UFC if he doesn’t put on a big performance.
Gastelum said: “I know both of us are in a similar position where one of us might have to go home, the loser.”
Jean Silva is planning for a title shot after shocking #2-ranked Diego Lopes in the main event
Taking on the #2-ranked Lopes in the main event, Silva could surprise the fans and potentially earn a title shot with a win at Noche UFC 3.
Silva may be ranked #10 in the Featherweight division, but he has the confidence to tap into his alter named “Lord Assassin” in order to take down a Lopes who has recently tasted defeat.
Lopes is still licking his wounds after falling to Alexander Volkanovski in his last bout, failing to take home the vacant UFC Featherweight belt.
While that loss made a rematch with the champion unlikely, a win over Lopes could catapult Silva up the rankings and towards a fight against Volkanovski.
Silva is undefeated in the UFC, having won five straight fights all with different finishes, since 2024, and looks to be a future champion in the division.
The Bloody Elbow experts are backing Silva to shock Lopes and take his spot at the top of the division, but all the talk will mean nothing once the bell rings at Noche UFC 3.
Will Dana White be at Noche UFC 3?
It is looking increasingly likely that Dana White will miss out on appearing at the Noche UFC 3 event, in what will be a rare absence for the UFC CEO.
White went 11 years without missing an event before surgery took him away from Dustin Poirier vs The Korean Zombie, but the reason for his missing the event is a more positive one.
Embarking on his first attempt at promoting boxing, White is expected to be at ringside for the super fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
Given that Noche UFC 3 is in Texas and the boxing match is in Las Vegas, White would likely need to leave during the UFC prelims in order to make it in time for Canelo and Crawford’s ring walks.
It is impossible for White to attend both events, so it will be interesting to see which one he attends on September 13.
Noche UFC 3 full card
Here is the full card for Noche UFC 3:
Main card
Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva
Bantamweight: Rob Font vs. David Martinez
Lightweight: Rafa García vs. Jared Gordon
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Dustin Stoltzfus Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Bantamweight: Santiago Luna vs. Quang Le
Prelims
Middleweight: José Daniel Medina vs. Duško Todorović
Lightweight: Claudio Puelles vs. Joaquim Silva
Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos
Flyweight: Jesús Santos Aguilar vs. Luis Gurule
Middleweight: Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
Flyweight: Alessandro Costa vs. Alden Coria
Women’s Bantamweight: Montserrat Rendon vs. Alice Pereira
Welterweight: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko