Silva beats Delgado to demand featherweight title shot

Moreno wins split decision over Morales

Jeang Silva (left) faces Jose Miguel Delgado in the main event of Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). Silva won by submission in round 3. [UFC]
Jeang Silva (left) faces Jose Miguel Delgado in the main event of Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). Silva won by submission in round 3. [UFC]

Jeang Silva of Brazil has won back-to-back fights and is making his case for a UFC featherweight title shot.

Silva, ranked sixth in the UFC featherweight division (65.8 kilograms), submitted Jose Miguel Delgado of the United States and Mexico at 2 minutes 57 seconds of round 3 via a one-arm rear-naked choke in the main event of Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). Noche UFC is a special event held in honor of Mexican Independence Day and this year marked its fourth edition.

The victory gave the 29-year-old Silva his second straight win, following a triumph over Arnold Allen in January. His overall record stands at 18-3, with a 7-1 mark inside the UFC.

Silva was knocked down in the first round after absorbing a straight and a left uppercut combination from Delgado, but he weathered the storm through wrestling. In the second round, Silva turned up the pressure, secured a takedown and landed ground-and-pound strikes. The decisive third round saw him drop Delgado with a right straight near the cage wall. In the ensuing scramble, Silva took back position and locked in a rear-naked choke with his left arm alone, forcing the tap.

Brandon Moreno (left) throws a punch at Joseph Morales. [UFC]
Brandon Moreno (left) throws a punch at Joseph Morales. [UFC]

In his post-fight interview, Silva declared, "Whoever holds the champion's belt — the new champion is right here." Champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his title against No. 1-ranked Mofsar Yevloyev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Oct. 25.

In the co-main event, former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, 32, of Mexico made his Noche UFC debut and earned a split decision victory (28-29, 30-27, 30-27) over Joseph Morales, 32, of the United States and Mexico, who won the TUF 33 flyweight tournament.

Meanwhile, former UFC women's flyweight champion and current No. 3-ranked Alexa Grasso, 33, of Mexico overwhelmed No. 2-ranked Manon Fiorot, 36, of France with relentless boxing pressure to claim a unanimous decision win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).


yjc@heraldcorp.com