UFC Fight Night: Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall Preview & Prediction
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Featherweights throw down in the second fight on the prelims, with Erik Silva returning from a second consecutive two year lay off to face Francis Marshall.
Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall facts
What time are Erik Silva and Francis Marshall expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh main card
Brandon Moreno vs Lone'er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
Marlon Vera vs David Martinez (Bantamweight)
Daniel Zellhuber vs King Green (Lightweight)
Edgar Chairez vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)
Imanol Rodriguez vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Santiago Luna vs Angel Pacheco (Bantamweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh prelims
Ryan Gandra vs Jose Daniel Medina (Middleweight)
Ailin Perez vs Macy Chiasson (Women’s Bantamweight)
Cristian Quinonez vs Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Douglas Silva de Andrade vs Javier Reyes (Featherweight)
Sofia Montenegro vs Ernesta Kareckaite (Women’s Flyweight)
Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall (Featherweight)
Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz (Middleweight)
Erik Silva: Does "King" have what it takes to make a late career run after fighting just twice in four years?
It’s been nothing but straight “L’s” for Erik Silva (9-3) since earning a UFC contract on the Contender Series in 2022. “King” has fought just twice in nearly four years since his contract winning performance, coming up short to TJ Brown by submission in his UFC debut. Returning from a two year hiatus in the wake of his loss to Brown, Silva’s comeback against Muhammad Naimov lasted less than a minute after a leg injury in the first 44 seconds rendered him unable to continue. Returning after another two year break in competition, the deck would appear to be stacked against the Venezuelan in his latest attempt at a resurgence.
Francis Marshall: Can "Fire" build on an impressive showing last time out?
Graduating to the UFC via the Contender Series’ class of 2022, Francis Marshall (8-3) has endured a difficult run of results since debuting in the promotion with an impressive TKO victory over Marcelo Rojo in 2022. “Fire” is just 1-3 since then, losing to William Gomis, Isaac Dulgarian, and Mairon Santos in his most recent performance, with just a single split decision victory over Dennis Buzukja to his name. Primarily known for his grappling acumen, the 26 year old American has earned half of his professional wins by submission, although it’s also worth noting that his last win by tap-out came prior to him joining the UFC.
Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall prediction
While he looked good last time out, Marshall sitting as such a heavy favorite speaks volumes to how cooked the bookmakers believe Silva likely is at this point in his career. “Fire” is as high as -750 with some oddsmakers, despite the fact that he’s just 2-3 since joining the promotion and hasn’t produced a finish in more than three years.
In all fairness, they’re likely not wrong. Silva is 38 and has fought two times in the last four years, losing in decisive fashion before the bell on both occasions. While one could chalk his loss to Muhammad Naimov up to a freak injury, “King” got tapped out by journeyman, T.J. Brown, after gassing out in the third round prior to that; a concerning omen, given that grappling was typically the area where Silva had been having the most success prior to joining the UFC.
While Marshall has had a disappointing run of form as of late, he’s still had his moments during that stretch; many thought that he had done enough to beat the surging Mairon Santos during their matchup in his most recent appearance. At the very least, that fight showed that he’s got some decent pop, with Marshall dropping the Brazilian on multiple occasions en route to a controversial defeat.
Considering that Santos is fresh off destroying the aforementioned Naimov via TKO, that in and of itself should be more than enough to beat what remains of Silva. The pick is Marshall by stoppage.
Prediction: Francis Marshall to win by stoppage
