Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

“We’re Gonna See Each Other Again” – Jean Silva Makes Peace With Diego Lopes, Eyes Yair Rodriguez Clash

Silva seeks redemption after Lopes and eyes Rodriguez next.

Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Brazilian featherweight Jean Silva is ready to turn the page after his dramatic loss to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC, signaling a December return and throwing down a challenge to Yair Rodriguez. Silva, who had entered the San Antonio event on a 13-fight winning streak, fell to Lopes via second-round TKO after a spinning back elbow ended his undefeated UFC run. Despite the high drama in the cage and a post-fight altercation, Silva and Lopes have since reconciled, with Silva even congratulating his rival backstage.

> Lost on DWCS in 2021
> Short notice vs Top 15 FW two years later
> Goes on 5-fight win streak (3 Finishes)
> Battles the GOAT at 145
> Eliminates the last Fighting Nerd

The Era of Diego Lopes 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/PQh0vSrqJ2
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) September 14, 2025

Silva and Lopes Make Peace, Future Rematches Loom

The tension between Silva and Lopes had boiled over after the fight. Lopes had gestured provocatively toward Silva’s corner, prompting Silva to strike him in the back of the head and knock over a stool.

However, new backstage footage shared on Lopes’ YouTube channel shows the fighters burying the hatchet soon after. “I’m always gonna accept that,” Lopes said as Silva offered his congratulations. Silva replied, “We’ll kill each other [in the Octagon], not here… Congratulations. It’s from the heart. I didn’t come to glaze you. Real talk: you’re going to be a champion.” Lopes responded, “I know that,” to which Silva concluded, “We’re gonna see each other again.”

🫡🇧🇷 Jean Silva approached Diego Lopes to congratulate him with a victory and to tell that he's going to become a champion.

"Keep working. We'll meet each other again."

Diego said that Silva's team talked too much, but he doesn't have a problem with Jean.

🎥 @AgFight pic.twitter.com/fZTzOM1mFU
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 16, 2025

Silva’s loss dropped him to 5-1 in the UFC featherweight division, ending a nearly unbroken run since his defeat to Gabriel Schlupp in 2018. Prior to Noche UFC, Silva had defeated notable names including Bryce Mitchell, Drew Dober, Charles Jourdain, Melsik Baghdasaryan, and Westin Wilson, among others.

Lopes’ upset victory has elevated him as a serious contender, likely necessitating one or two more top-tier wins before a championship shot. Sources indicate that Silva, meanwhile, has set his sights on a December battle with Yair Rodriguez.

The drama between Yair Rodriguez and Diego Lopes continued on-stage after the #UFC314 press conference. 👀 pic.twitter.com/1n6LKvIddB
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 10, 2025

The pair, known for exchanging verbal jabs and fierce rivalry, could deliver a high-stakes bout with potential title implications, making Silva’s comeback one of the most anticipated in the featherweight division. Fans are now left waiting to see whether Silva’s redemption path begins against Rodriguez and how the eventual rematch with Lopes will unfold.

Mandatory Image Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Diego Lopes

Jean Silva

UFC

Yair Rodriguez

Rudra Dubey

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mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.