Jean Silva names Diego Lopes loss his favorite UFC fight

Jean Silva considers his only UFC defeat to be his favorite fight of his career. The Brazilian featherweight lost to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC 3 in September last year, when Lopes dropped him with a spinning backfist late in the second round and finished the bout with brutal hammer-fists. Despite the loss, Silva has only praised the encounter.

"I say it and repeat it; even having lost, this was my favorite fight," Silva wrote on social media. "Two guys ready and willing to simply go at it with their fists, nothing more… I love that."

Silva and Lopes had built considerable bad blood heading into their Noche UFC 3 headliner, and they delivered an instant classic that lived up to the rivalry's intensity. Both fighters came to engage on the feet, throwing power strikes throughout an exciting exchange. The finish was particularly dramatic, with Lopes' spinning backfist landing flush and forcing Silva to the canvas for the referee stoppage.

Prior to that loss, Silva (17-3) had an impressive streak of five consecutive UFC wins, all by stoppage. He has since rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Arnold Allen this past January. Silva now headlines Noche UFC 4 against Jose Delgado (12-2) on September 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Meanwhile, Lopes is rumored to be making a move to lightweight after two unsuccessful featherweight title bids.