The favorite going into this fight is Jean Silva, with odds ranging from -250 to -275. Silva typically starts slow, measuring his opponent and picking his shots with power. Lopes, on the other hand, usually comes out explosive—throwing flurries of punches right from the opening bell. I expect him to do exactly that here, and it could be the key to unsettling Silva.
One thing to note: Silva has rarely shown signs of fatigue in his fights, which is something Lopes must exploit if he hopes to win. The good news for Lopes is that he’s proven his toughness and endurance—he pushed Alexander Volkanovski to the brink in their fight. Even though he fell short, he showed he can hang with the best.
It makes sense why most bettors are backing Silva. His power, composure, confidence, and ability to play mental games inside the cage are all weapons that make him dangerous. But Lopes does have a path to victory. If he mixes in calf kicks, unleashes his flurries, and avoids extended exchanges, he has a real chance.
Silva will likely be the one pressing forward, stalking, and landing with precision. He’s looked unbeatable in recent performances, dominating opponents with ease. Still, Lopes comes in with championship-level experience, and as we know, everyone looks untouchable—until they don’t.
Where Lopes may have the edge is in endurance, speed, and those calf kicks that can slow Silva’s forward pressure. I’m still not fully sold on Silva’s gas tank over the long haul, but there’s no denying he carries the power and accuracy to change the fight in an instant.
What do you think—does Lopes have the tools to pull off the upset?
