The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) makes its return to Glendale, Arizona, tonight (Saturday, Sept. 12) with Noche UFC 4 at the Desert Diamond Arena. The headline bout, streaming on Paramount+, features a Featherweight showdown between Jean Silva and Jose Delgado. The co-main event will pit Brandon Moreno against Joseph Morales in a Flyweight contest.
Noche UFC 4 Cheat Sheet:
- Event: Noche UFC 4: Silva vs. Delgado
- Main Fight: Featherweight battle – Jean Silva vs. Jose Delgado (five rounds)
- Start Time: Today, Sept. 12, 2026, from 2 p.m. ET on Paramount+
- Location: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
- Viewing: Prelim fights start at 2 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with the rest of the main card at 5 p.m. ET
- Betting: Latest odds available through FanDuel Sportsbook
- Updates: Live play-by-play coverage provided here
After experiencing his first UFC loss by knockout to Diego Lopes, Jean Silva rebounded by defeating Arnold Allen via unanimous decision. Currently ranked sixth in the Featherweight division, Silva aims to break into the top five for a shot at the title. Known for his exciting fighting style with five stoppage wins in his initial Octagon appearances, Silva must secure a victory over Delgado despite the latter being unranked. Originally set to fight No. 5 Yair Rodriguez, Silva now faces Delgado after Rodriguez’s withdrawal. A win here remains crucial for Silva’s title ambitions.
Jose Delgado steps in for Rodriguez with a chance to make a splash by upsetting a top contender. The 28-year-old is 4-1 in his young UFC career, with his only loss against Nathaniel Wood last year. With 10 finishes in 12 wins, Delgado thrives on action and could rise quickly into the rankings with a victory over Silva. Yet, he must remain flawless to overcome Silva’s determination and experience.
Changes to the Card and Injuries:
The anticipated main event featuring Silva versus Yair Rodriguez was altered when Rodriguez withdrew. Similarly, Kelvin Gastelum was replaced by Djorden Santos in his scheduled bout against Yousri Belgaroui.
Rising Talent:
The event will kick off with UFC newcomers Jessie Rosas (8-1) and Sean King (6-0) facing off. Rosas, who was expected to debut earlier this year but was sidelined and reportedly cut by the promotion, now gets a fresh start against King.
Prelims Preview:
Veteran Tim Elliott looks to bounce back against the rising Edgar Chairez, who is on a three-fight winning streak. Rafa Garcia, after a slow start in the UFC, aims for a fourth consecutive win versus Zhu Rong. Regina Tarin, undefeated at 8-0, faces a stern challenge from veteran J.J. Aldrich. Drakkar Klose, with a solid recent record, goes up against the unbeaten Thomas Gantt, fresh off a second-round KO win. Ignacio Bahamondes and Muslim Salikhov both need victories after recent losses to avoid further setbacks.
Fighters Needing Wins:
Dan Ige, currently on a two-fight skid and 4-8 in his last 12 fights, must avoid another loss or risk being cut. He meets David Martinez, who boasts a 10-fight win streak, including 3-0 in the UFC.
Interest Level: 7.5/10:
Brandon Moreno, a former UFC Flyweight champion, is struggling with a two-fight losing streak and has dropped out of the top five. He faces Joseph Morales, who is on a five-fight win run and has impressed since returning to the UFC. This matchup could be career-defining for Morales and pivotal for Moreno’s comeback hopes.
Heavyweights Curtis Blaydes, ranked sixth, looks to recover from a recent knockout loss against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, ranked fifth. Both heavyweights are eager to rebuild momentum.
In the women’s Flyweight division, Alexa Grasso, fresh off a stunning KO victory, takes on the No. 2 ranked Manon Fiorot. The winner might claim the top contender spot in a currently unsettled division.
Tommy McMillen steps into the octagon with an undefeated 11-0 record, hoping to continue his explosive start against equally undefeated Marwan Rahiki (9-0) in a fight expected to be a highlight.
Complete Fight Card:
Main Event (Paramount+):
- Featherweight: Jean Silva vs. Jose Delgado
Main Card (Paramount+ – 5 p.m. ET):
- Flyweight: Brandon Moreno vs. Joseph Morales
- Featherweight: Tommy McMillen vs. Marwan Rahiki
- Flyweight: Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso
- Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes
- Bantamweight: David Martinez vs. Dan Ige
Prelims (Paramount+ – 2 p.m. ET):
- Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Edgar Chairez
- Middleweight: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Muslim Salikhov
- Light Heavyweight: Yousri Belgaroui vs. Djorden Santos
- Lightweight: Drakkar Klose vs. Tommy Gantt
- Lightweight: Rafa García vs. Rongzhu
- Featherweight: Jessie Rosas vs. Sean King
- Flyweight: JJ Aldrich vs. Regina Tarin
Note: The fight card and bout order are subject to change.
For the most current news and details on Noche UFC 4: “Silva vs. Delgado,” be sure to visit our comprehensive event archive.
Fan Take:
This event is essential viewing for fight fans because it showcases rising contenders battling to climb the rankings and revitalize their careers, with potential title implications looming. The dynamic matchups and opportunity for breakthroughs could inject fresh excitement into the UFC’s competitive landscape, highlighting the evolving depth of talent in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
