UFC Fight Night 259: Claudio Puelles vs Joaquim Silva Preview & Prediction
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Grappling meets power as Claudio Puelles takes on Joaquim Silva in lightweight showdown.
Claudio Puelles vs Joaquim Silva facts
What time are Claudio Puelles and Joaquim Silva expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 259: Lopes vs Silva? Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 259: Lopes vs Silva? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 259
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 259: Lopes vs Silva on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 259: Lopes vs Silva? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 259: Lopes vs Silva main card
Diego Lopes vs Jean Silva (Featherweight)
Rob Font vs David Martinez (Bantamweight)
Rafa Garcia vs Jared Gordon (Lightweight)
Kelvin Gastelum vs Dustin Stoltzfus (Middleweight)
Santiago Luna vs Quang Le (Bantamweight)
UFC Fight Night 259: Lopes vs Silva prelims
Alexander Hernandez vs Carlos Diego Ferreira (Lightweight)
Jose Daniel Medina vs Dusko Todorovic (Middleweight)
Claudio Puelles vs Joaquim Silva (Lightweight)
Tatiana Suarez vs Amanda Lemos (Women’s Strawweight)
Jesus Santos Aguilar vs Luis Gurule (Flyweight)
Zachary Reese vs Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)
Alessandro Costa vs Alden Coria (Flyweight)
Montserrat Rendon vs Alice Pereira (Women’s Bantamweight)
Rodrigo Sezinando vs Daniil Donchenko (Welterweight)
Claudio Puelles: ‘Prince of Peru’ hunting another signature submission
Claudio Puelles (12-4) returns to action aiming to bounce back after consecutive defeats. The 29-year-old Peruvian, known as the “Prince of Peru,” lost a close split decision to the talented Fares Ziam in his last outing and was stopped by Dan Hooker in the fight before. Prior to that, Puelles made headlines with back-to-back kneebar victories over veteran Clay Guida and Chris Gruetzemacher.
With 57% of his wins coming by submission, including three kneebars inside the UFC, Puelles has established himself as one of the most dangerous lower-body submission specialists on the roster. While his striking remains limited, his grappling credentials are not to be underestimated.
Joaquim Silva: Brazilian veteran bringing power and experience
Joaquim Silva (13-5) brings a wealth of experience into this bout with 11 UFC appearances under his belt. The 36-year-old is coming off a decision loss to Drakkar Klose but previously earned a solid win over Clay Guida. He also gave top contender Arman Tsarukyan a scare, wobbling him during their clash before being finished.
Silva is a physically imposing lightweight with good power in his hands and a well-rounded grappling base. However, he has shown vulnerability in the past — particularly when pressured or caught clean — and durability has occasionally let him down.
Claudio Puelles vs Joaquim Silva prediction
This is a classic striker vs grappler match-up that could swing either way. Silva has the tools to hurt Puelles on the feet, while Puelles will be constantly hunting for a takedown or submission — especially his signature kneebar.
While Silva has the experience and power advantage, Puelles is younger, has had a longer layoff to improve since February 2024, and appears more likely to evolve and make adjustments. That slight edge in youth and grappling danger gives the advantage to the Peruvian in this bout.
Prediction: Claudio Puelles to win
