The main event of Noche UFC is undergoing a makeover.
With less than a month before fighters step into the octagon, middleweight contender Yair Rodriguez has pulled out of his headlining bout against Jean Silva due to injury.
The UFC announced that rising prospect Jose Delgado would be stepping in on short notice to take on "Lord" Silva.
Rodriguez, 33, did not disclose details of the injury, but announced his withdrawal on social media, explaining that it "wasn't responsible" to compete in his present condition.
"El Pantera" has not fought since April 2025 — he's only stepped in an octagon twice since 2023 despite ranking fifth in the division.
Rodriguez, a former interim middleweight champ, bounced back in that April bout, pulling off a unanimous decision win over Patricio Pitbull following back-to-back stoppage losses.
But now the Mexican will have to sit back and watch as the festivities unfold to celebrate his country's independence.
As for Delgado, the Noche UFC main event will be his third bout of 2026 after back-to-back wins over Andre Fili (split decision) and Austin Bashi (unanimous decision).
The American is 4-1-0 in the UFC, with his only loss coming in 2025 in a catchweight bout against Nathaniel Wood after Delgado came in slightly over the 145-pound limit.
Now Delgado will get to test his recent momentum in his native Arizona against one of the division's top contenders.
Silva ranks sixth among 145-pounders and is 6-1-0 in the UFC. He last fought for the promotion in January 2026, earning a unanimous decision over Arnold Allen — bouncing back from a TKO loss to Diego Lopes, which remains Silva's lone defeat under the banner.
That loss snapped a five-fight win streak for the former Dana White's Contender Series participant, a run that included five consecutive performance bonuses.
Noche UFC is the promotion's annual card that commemorates Mexican Independence, an initiative that began in 2023.
This year will be the fourth instance of the event — the second in a row with Silva headlining — and the first from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
