Matchmaking After UFC Noche: Silva vs Delgado
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 9/14/2026
Jean Silva vs
Aljamain Sterling
Matt Hylen -
I understand that a lot of the media believes Silva deserves a title shot next, but I still think he's a fight away from proving he deserves one. This win doesn't move him up in my eyes, plus he has lost to the only top-ranked guy he has faced in Diego Lopes.
This may be a hot take for some, but Silva hasn't accomplished more than what I think Sterling has accomplished since moving up to Featherweight. Sure, Silva is the much more exciting fighter with more potential, but I feel Silva is far too hyped to be next in line for the title over Sterling. For that reason, I want to see Silva take on Sterling in what should be a title eliminator.
Jose Delgado vs
Steve Garcia
Zak Drapeau -
Jose Delgado may have lost the Main Event last weekend, but his fight was commendable on only 2-3 weeks of preparation. Delgado was already on the verge of fighting a ranked opponent, and after taking this fight on short notice, he's earned that right. Garcia was also on the rise in the division before Lopes flattened him at the White House, so a fight down might be necessary and welcomed to get back on track.
Brandon Moreno vs
Tim Elliot
Matt Hylen -
Moreno looked a lot better on Saturday than he has looked in recent fights, but I think he is more of a gatekeeper at this point in his career. He loses to any top-ranked contender, but showed that he can still win against the lower-tier competitors looking to push upward.
So, why not put him against another guy who looked impressive on this card in Tim Elliott? Elliott gives Moreno an interesting grappling challenge, but not one he can't figure out. Elliott deserves a fight up, while Moreno could play the gatekeeper role for another up-and-comer.
Joseph Morales vs
Edgar Chairez
Zak Drapeau -
Two fighters from last weekend that are still extremely in play in the Flyweight division, Morales and Elliott, are still in their early 30s with a lot of fight still in them. Morales went to a split decision with the former champion of the division, so I could see him actually getting another ranked fight next, but the timing lines up better with Chairez. For "Puro Chicali," a loss to 39-year-old Tim Elliott is extremely disappointing after the trajectory he had been on, so he should look to immediately bounce back and put himself among the ranked eliminators again.
Curtis Blaydes vs
Mario Pinto
Matt Hylen -
After what he and Josh Hokit put on earlier this year, I was underwhelmed with Curtis Blaydes' performance against Waldo Cortes-Acosta. His output was simply not enough to make me consider this win pushing him up the ranks in competition. Thus, I think matching Blaydes up against a major prospect in Mario Pinto makes a ton of sense. Pinto needs a fight up and to showcase he can handle grapplers, while Blaydes needs to have the performance he had against Hokit end off in a win.
Tommy McMillan vs
Nathaniel Wood
Zak Drapeau -
McMillen is my BOY BLUE. After his 12-0 start to his career and the war we just saw last weekend, McMillen DESERVES to be thought of among the very best at 145. He has 3 UFC wins, he has a lot of marketability and notoriety coming from Tim Welch and Sean O'Malley's camp, and he has the style to be a star, so let's throw him to the wolves and give this kid a real shot. Nathaniel Wood is coming off a shocking upset loss just a week ago but still is around the Top-20 of the division and a true kickboxer-for-points like Tommy Gun that would make an excellent opponent and measuring stick.
David Martinez vs
Corey Sandhagen
Matt Hylen -
This win marks David Martinez's fourth straight in the UFC, which is extremely impressive. With that said, the way in which he wins these fights has been less than impressive. I do think a fight up the ranks makes sense, but not as big a jump as I think most believe he could deserve.
I think a fight against Cory Sandhagen would be extremely interesting. Sandhagen's style might bring out the best of Martinez, which I think we have yet to see in the UFC. Martinez desperately needs a finish to solidify himself at the top of the rankings; I think Sandhagen is a good enough name and would be exactly what he needs to get to where his record says he should be.
Alexa Grasso vs
WINNER of Silva v Cong
Zak Drapeau -
The fight we just saw between Alexa Grasso and Manon Fiorot should've been for the Flyweight title instead of the upcoming Silva vs. Cong title fight in October. In what should definitely be the #1 contender fight, Alexa Grasso really did the unthinkable and outstruck Fiorot without using her grappling advantage much. After the knockout of the year against Barber and a huge underdog win against the #2 Flyweight in the world, Grasso not only deserves a title shot but maybe even a nod at Female Fighter of the Year.
Ignacio Bahamondes vs
Daniel Rodriguez
Zak Drapeau -
Bahamondes was one of the best lightweight up-and-comers at one point in time before a 2-fight skid against better competition. A change to welterweight was necessary after massive weight cuts definitely prohibited him from reaching peak performances at 155, and it was evident by the drumming he just put on Muslim Salikhov. I definitely believe he should have a ranked fight eliminator, and why not face the man who was just recently #15 and coming off a loss to Uros Medic.
Other Fights to Make
Marwan Rahiki vs Lerryan Douglas
Manon Fiorot vs LOSER of Silva v Cong
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Vitor Petrino
Dan Ige vs Juan Diaz
Muslim Salikhov vs Michael Oliveira
Regina Tarin vs Miranda Maverick
JJ Aldrich vs Juliana Miller
Yousri Belgaroui vs Tresean Gore
Djorden Santos vs Eric McConico
Tommy Gantt vs Rafa Garcia
Drakkar Klose vs Lance Gibson Jr
Zhu Rong vs Ludvoit Klein
Sean King III vs Fernando Padilla
Jessie Rosas vs Robert Ruchala
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