Rodriguez Returns Against Silva In Noche UFC Main Event
Yair Rodriguez will headline Noche UFC 4 against Jean Silva on Sept. 12 in Glendale, Arizona, as MMA Fighting first reported Tuesday. The featherweight bout marks Rodriguez's return after more than a year away from the cage.
Rodriguez last fought in April 2025, when he beat former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in Miami. That win snapped a two-fight skid for the former interim title challenger. Silva, meanwhile, is coming off a decision win over Arnold Allen in January and has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous finishers with stoppage wins over Bryce Mitchell, Drew Dober and Charles Jourdain since joining the roster through Dana White's Contender Series.
What Silva's Matchup With Rodriguez Means For Featherweight Title Picture
Silva previously headlined Noche UFC 3 in 2025, dropping a decision to Diego Lopes. The Brazilian now gets a shot at a former championship contender in Rodriguez, who has shared the cage with a who's who of featherweights during his UFC run. A win over the veteran could position Silva as a serious threat at 145 pounds.
According to Sherdog, Rodriguez has never competed at a Noche UFC event, the promotion's annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day. The card will also feature former champions Alexa Grasso and Brandon Moreno, who face Manon Fiorot and Joseph Morales respectively. The full lineup includes Curtis Blaydes against Waldo Cortes Acosta, Kelvin Gastelum facing Yousri Belgaroui, and Dan Ige meeting David Martinez.
The event takes place at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale with the bout order still to be finalized.
Original reporting:
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