Noche UFC delivered several performances that immediately changed the matchmaking picture across multiple divisions. Jean Silva strengthened his position at featherweight, Alexa Grasso moved closer to another title opportunity, and Tommy McMillen continued his rapid rise. Brandon Moreno also returned to the win column, while Curtis Blaydes and David Martinez added important victories.MMA Fighting’s Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew discussed the potential next matchups for the biggest winners on a new episode of “On To the Next One.” The biggest question centers on whether Silva has already done enough to earn a title fight or needs one more ranked opponent first.
Jean Silva Has a Strong Case for the Next Title Shot
Jean Silva entered Noche UFC with plenty of attention on him after his previous loss to Diego Lopes. He left Glendale with an emphatic answer, submitting Jose Miguel Delgado with a one-armed rear-naked choke in the third round.Silva improved to 18-3-0 after the victory. The win also restored momentum after his first UFC loss and kept him near the front of the featherweight contender picture.
The obvious question now is whether Silva should wait for the winner of Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. That matchup will determine the next direction of the featherweight title picture.Silva has already made his interest in the winner clear. However, his victory came against an unranked short-notice opponent, which could make another contender fight a more logical option.
A matchup with Aljamain Sterling would give Silva a much stronger ranking boost. It would also create a clear title eliminator between two fighters who believe they belong near the championship conversation.For now, Silva’s next opponent remains one of the most interesting matchmaking questions coming out of Noche UFC.
Alexa Grasso Could Be Heading Toward Another Title Fight
Alexa Grasso also left the event with her stock significantly improved.The former UFC women’s flyweight champion defeated Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision. The victory gave Grasso another important win over a highly ranked opponent and strengthened her position in the division.
Grasso now owns an 18-5-1 professional record. Her experience at the top of the division makes her difficult to overlook when the UFC decides who should receive the next title opportunity.
The biggest factor is the upcoming title picture at flyweight. Natalia Silva and Wang Cong are scheduled to meet for the vacant championship, creating a straightforward path for Grasso if she continues to remain healthy.
Instead of giving Grasso another contender fight, a title opportunity against the winner would make sense. She has already spent years competing against the division’s elite and has previously held the belt.Her Noche UFC performance only strengthened the argument for putting her back into the championship mix.
Tommy McMillen Is Becoming a Serious Featherweight Name
Tommy McMillen may have left Noche UFC without a finish, but his reputation continued to grow.The undefeated prospect defeated Marwan Rahiki by unanimous decision after a competitive three-round battle. It was McMillen’s third UFC victory and kept his professional record perfect at 12-0-0.
McMillen also continued to show why many are beginning to view him as one of the division’s most exciting prospects. His activity and finishing ability have already helped him stand out since joining the UFC.
The next step should be a meaningful jump in competition. A matchup with another established featherweight prospect could test whether McMillen is ready to move toward the rankings.
His rise also makes the UFC’s featherweight division even more crowded. With Silva already pushing toward the title picture, McMillen could become another major name at 145 pounds.Readers looking at the division’s emerging talent can also check Sportsgotec’s guide to the UFC top prospects 2026 for a broader look at fighters making their rise.
Brandon Moreno Needs the Right Opponent Next
Brandon Moreno finally returned to the win column at Noche UFC after defeating Joseph Morales by split decision.The victory moved Moreno to 24-10-2 and stopped a difficult stretch for the former two-time UFC flyweight champion.
Moreno’s future is less straightforward than Silva’s or Grasso’s. He remains one of the division’s biggest names, but another title run would likely require several more wins.
A fight against another experienced contender could provide a useful test. It would also give Moreno an opportunity to build momentum without immediately being thrown back into championship contention.His next matchup should therefore focus on progress rather than rushing toward another title fight.
Curtis Blaydes and David Martinez Also Need Step-Up Fights
Curtis Blaydes returned to winning ways by defeating Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision. David Martinez also remained unbeaten in the UFC after defeating Dan Ige by unanimous decision.Both victories create different matchmaking situations.
Blaydes has already spent years around the heavyweight rankings. His next fight should likely involve another established contender who can push him closer to the top of the division.
Martinez, meanwhile, is still building his name among the bantamweight elite. Another ranked opponent would provide a clearer indication of how close he is to the title conversation.Fans following the heavyweight picture can also keep an eye on the latest UFC heavyweight rankings 2026.
Final Thoughts
Noche UFC did more than produce another set of fight results. It created several genuine matchmaking questions across the UFC roster.
Jean Silva is now one of the most intriguing names at featherweight, while Alexa Grasso has a strong argument for another title opportunity. Tommy McMillen is quickly becoming a fighter the UFC can build around, and Brandon Moreno has given himself room to rebuild.
The next few UFC events should reveal whether the promotion rewards these performances with immediate opportunities or asks the fighters to take one more step before reaching the biggest fights.
