UFC Exec Explains How Guadalajara Noche UFC Event Still a ‘GO’, but Setup Problems Needed Shift

UFC is still breaking ground by traveling to Guadalajara, but the arena wasn't ready for an immediate installment of Noche UFC.

UFC Exec Explains How Guadalajara Noche UFC Event Still a ‘GO’, but Setup Problems Needed Shift

Guadalajara event still in plans but 3rd Noche UFC needed concrete spot (Source: X)

The UFC’s eventual landing in Guadalajara and its new arena is subject to a delay. This is due to an alteration to this year’s Noche UFC festivities resulting from the delay in construction. There is a lot of pent-up angst about what UFC does about this year’s annual Noche celebration.

The previous annual Noche UFC PPV, UFC 306 pay-per-view at the MGM ‘Sphere’, was a banger with a whopping $21,829,245 event live gate. The third annual Noche UFC event, which celebrates Mexican Independence Day, was originally set to take place in Mexico for the first time.

Originally scheduled for September 13 in Guadalajara, the event was subsequently moved to San Antonio, Texas, and downgraded from a PPV offering. Despite the unexpected twists and turns, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner acknowledges that revisiting the city and venue remains a top priority for the future.

Guadalajara is still in our plans, …The arena wasn’t quite ready yet. The roof and stuff needed more work and we couldn’t go there without having everything really done…I think you will see it. Maybe not this year, but we’ll go back there. We want to go back there.

UFC Exec Marc Ratner via MMA Junkie Radio

This isn’t the only venue where UFC is yet to break ground but is waiting in the loop due to the “arena option not being ready,” per Ratner. The headliner will now have featherweights Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva clash to keep their title hopes alive.

Both were standout fighters of last year, and remain an exciting option to headline the event. Lopes, a Brazilian native, who trains in Mexico, was also a recent title challenger at the UFC 314 PPV main event.

The first Noche UFC event, held by the UFC in 2023, took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It elevated to a new echelon in 2024, with the card unfolding at the illustrious Sphere in Las Vegas, marking one of the most meticulously produced events in the annals of UFC history.

The monumental event even bagged two honors at the Sports Emmys. However, Ratner said they were not thinking about going back to Sphere. UFC CEO Dana White said before that it was probably a one-time thing.

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A spot for American Independence (AKA America 250 celebration) takes precedence over Mexican Independence next year. Nevertheless, Diego Lopes has his next assignment, and he is ready for what’s coming this year. The UFC will host the third installment of Noche UFC on September 13, and the main event is now booked in the lineup.

Two featherweights clash at next Noche UFC headliner
Two featherweights clash at next Noche UFC headliner (Source: X)

A change has been made to the event’s status. It will now be held on the same day as the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford superfight, and it has been downgraded from a PPV card to a Fight Night lineup. But the challenge remains the same.

Since his debut in 2024, Silva has been one of the most talked-about surging names in the UFC. His latest win over Bryce Mitchell in Miami earned him the #11 ranking in the Athletes’ Listings (now elevated to #10). Lopes’ prospects in this fight are significant. Although he may be fighting lower in the rankings, the number next to Silva’s name does not accurately reflect his current level of competition.

Lopes is ready for whatever the rising contender has to offer. After stating that he had agreed to fight Yair Rodriguez, Silva, or UFC newcomer Aaron Pico at the Noche UFC event, Lopes expressed his thoughts on the upcoming bout on social media following the announcement.

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Many fans were hoping to see the Brazilian face Yair Rodriguez in a grudge match that began building earlier this year. However, this Noche UFC headliner on September 13 is sure to make a handful of talking points. Silva even pushed for a 145-pound top crack by comparing his surging trajectory to that of Diego Lopes.

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