Rodriguez Pulls Out Of Noche UFC 4, Silva Gets Delgado

Yair Rodriguez has pulled out of the Noche UFC 4 main event scheduled for Sept. 12 in Glendale, Arizona, leaving top contender Jean Silva without an opponent less than four weeks from fight night.

Ag.Fight first reported the withdrawal. MMAmania.com confirmed that UFC officials immediately began searching for a replacement to keep Silva on the card. No reason for Rodriguez's exit has been disclosed.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Noche on Ticketmaster →

Delgado Steps In To Face Silva

The promotion has since tapped No. 14-ranked featherweight Jose Delgado as the new opponent, per sources. Silva was coming off a big win over Arnold Allen at UFC 324 in January, a bounce-back performance after he suffered his first octagon loss via second-round knockout to Diego Lopes in last year's Noche UFC 3 headliner. The Brazilian has since campaigned loudly for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski, even telling reporters he would leave the promotion if he lost a potential championship fight.

Rodriguez has competed just four times since July 2022, most recently beating Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in April 2025. That win snapped a two-fight skid that included losses to Brian Ortega and Volkanovski. The former interim featherweight champion has now been sidelined 16 months.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Noche on Ticketmaster →

Silva carries a 17-3 record into the bout, while Delgado will look to crack the top ten with an upset over the surging Brazilian. The revised Noche UFC 4 card airs live from Desert Diamond Arena on Sept. 12.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Oh Lord! Yair Rodriguez bails on Noche UFC 4 main event, Jean Silva gets new opponent (Updated)