Morning Report | Jean Silva wants Diego Lopes next: ‘It’s just me and Diego left’

Jean Silva wants Diego Lopes next.

Back in April, Silva picked up the biggest win of his career, putting Bryce Mitchell to sleep in their highly-publicized grudge match at UFC 314. Not only did the fight signal Silva’s arrival in the UFC featherweight rankings, but it also announced him as a budding star in the company with how he promoted the bout and then delivered a highlight-reel performance. And now he wants to build on that momentum by squaring off with one of the biggest fan favorites in the division – Diego Lopes.

“I want to make it clear that this fight did not come to me,” Silva said on his YouTube channel. “Of course, I think it’s a great fight for my game. I think it’s perfect. I study the guy’s game a lot, and I think it’s a great fight for me to compete for the belt later. But I’ll be honest, what do I think?

“I think Evloev is going to fight Aaron Pico, who just entered the UFC. I don’t know if the UFC wants Evloev as champion. So maybe this is the opportunity to get rid of him, losing to Pico? It’s going to be Yair Rodriguez vs. Volkanovski, and then it’s just me and Diego left. That’s what I think, maybe the UFC will do. I’m not sure, but in my view, I think that’s what makes sense now. It may happen. A good fight. A fight that I think would be incredible.”

In some ways, Lopes is Jean Silva before Jean Silva. Lopes made his promotional debut in 2023, losing a short-notice bout to Movsar Evloev with a spirited effort. He then rattled off five straight wins, with a number of thrilling finishes to get himself over with the fan base and punch his ticket to a title fight. Unfortunately for Lopes, he fell short in that title fight, losing a decision to Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 314. And while fighting “Lord” would be a big step back in the rankings for Lopes, Silva thinks he might be able to leverage it for a big opportunity.

“If he is well ahead of me in the rankings, for Diego to accept fighting me, he will probably say, ‘If I beat Jean, I will fight for the belt,’” Silva said. “That’s what he will ask the UFC, the UFC will say yes, but he won’t beat me. As long as he is with me, he won’t win. Forget it.”

As Silva mentions, this far is pure speculation at this point, but Silva is pushing for it over a matchup with someone like Arnold Allen or Lerone Murphy, Top 10 fighters with a number of decisions on their records. And if you’re going to match up two of the most exciting featherweights in the sport, why not do it on the card where two of the most exciting fighters of all-time are throwing down for the “BMF” belt, UFC 318.

“I don’t know where they would fit this fight. Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje for the BMF [at UFC 318]?” Silva suggested. “I think that would be a good date.”

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Separate. Ilia Topuria’s former head coach explains parting of ways before UFC 317: ‘He wants to fly away.’

Beef. Islam Makhachev trashes ‘average athlete’ Chael Sonnen after claiming he was ducking Ilia Topuria; Sonnen responds.

Doubt. Erin Blanchfield doubts Zhang Weili finds success at flyweight: ‘I don’t really see her even being top 5 at 125.’

China. UFC announces return to Shanghai for Fight Night card in August.

Rankings. What do Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria’s moves mean for the UFC’s future?

MMA Fighting Rankings Show.

Between the Links.

Israel Adesanya and Sean O’Malley training together.

Good Guy/Bad Guy, with Chael Sonnen talking about Islam Makhachev.

Not even trying to be controversial, but is this fight a “classic”?

Seems like Movsar Evloev is getting screwed out of a title show.

Speaking of deserving challengers.

Never say die (despite it appearing in your own name).

Called out.

….what? This is like, a fight that will probably happen soon. Why would this be your choice?

Paul Craig (17-9-1) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-1); UFC Atlanta, June 14.

Enjoy the weekend off MMA, everyone. Spend time with your loved ones, go outside, or enjoy your other hobbies. It’s good to have some time off every once in awhile.

Also, no Morning Report on Monday as it’s Memorial Day in the United States. So see you next Tuesday.

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.