Jean Silva releases first statement following Noche UFC knockout loss
Yesterday at 20:07
Jean Silva is recovering after a disappointing UFC loss.
Saturday's Noche UFC event saw Silva lose by second-round knockout to fellow featherweight contender Diego Lopes. It was the first time in Silva's career he lost by KO/TKO and his first loss since 2018. Prior to the setback, Silva was 5-0 in the UFC, with none of his wins going the distance.
Lopes caught Silva with a spinning back elbow in the fateful Round 2, rocking Silva and eventually prompting referee Mike Beltran to wave off the bout after Lopes followed up with hard punches. Silva initially protested the stoppage and even took a swing at Lopes following the conclusion of the bout.
On Sunday, Silva posted a statement on his Instagram Stories addressing the loss.
"Unfortunately, yesterday the emotion got the better of me," Silva said in Portuguese (English translation via Championship Rounds). "I was seeing well in the second round, but I ended up rushing in with everything just wanting to throw down."
After being grounded and nearly finished in Round 1, Silva battled back in the second, connecting with several hard punches as he showed off his signature striking style. But it was Lopes who landed the telling blow in the end.
Looking back, Silva blames himself for losing his composure.
"I ended up fighting alone, I wasn't connected with my team," Silva said. "So the responsibility is all mine for this loss."
Silva's loss is the latest setback for The Fighting Nerds team, with Caio Borralho and Mauricio Ruffy also seeing impressive win streaks end last weekend at UFC Paris. The results have led to the team being scrutinized and their contender bona fides being brought into question.
That kind of talk hasn't escaped Silva's notice, but he promises his team will bounce back from their losses. Together.
"One thing you guys were right about: The Fighting Nerds lost three in a row," Silva said. "So the three of us must be making similar mistakes. So for sure, me, Caio, and Ruffy will have a meeting. We'll figure this out and improve. Whether people like it or not, I'm sorry, but we'll be back."
