Noche UFC takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, with the main card live on Paramount+ from 5pm EDT (10pm BST). The fourth annual Noche UFC card, officially UFC Fight Night 288, marks Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations and the promotion’s third consecutive event at the Glendale venue.
Main Event: Silva vs. Delgado
The card was originally set to be headlined by former interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez against Brazilian contender Jean Silva. However, Rodriguez withdrew from the bout due to injury in the weeks before the event. Arizona native Jose Miguel Delgado stepped in as a late replacement, setting up a featherweight clash between 2 fighters both ranked 6th in the division.
Jean Silva carries the higher profile heading into the main event. The 27-year-old Brazilian finished 5 of his first 6 UFC opponents and built one of the most exciting records on the roster before suffering a knockout defeat to Diego Lopes. He has since rebuilt his momentum with a decision victory over Arnold Allen at UFC 324, re-establishing himself firmly in the top-ten rankings. Silva is primarily a striker with heavy hands but has demonstrated grappling versatility throughout his UFC career.
Jose Delgado steps in on short notice to fight in front of his home state crowd. The opportunity represents a significant step up in competition for the Arizona fighter, and the partisan arena support in Glendale could prove a factor in what is expected to be an aggressive stand-up contest. Delgado accepted the booking at late notice and will look to capitalise on the biggest night of his career.
Co-Main Event: Moreno vs. Morales
Brandon Moreno, the former UFC flyweight world champion, meets The Ultimate Fighter winner Joseph Morales in a flyweight bout on the main card. Moreno won the flyweight title by defeating Deiveson Figueiredo and held it on 2 separate occasions, with their rivalry producing some of the most memorable moments in recent UFC history. Working his way back into world title contention, Moreno will see a strong performance against the unbeaten Morales as a statement bout heading into the 125-pound title picture.
Morales emerged from TUF with an undefeated record and a reputation as one of the sharpest technical fighters in the division. The Californian represents a credible threat, and this matchup will test whether Moreno’s experience and championship pedigree hold firm against a younger, hungrier opponent.
Fiorot vs. Grasso: Women’s Flyweight Showdown
The women’s flyweight division provides another headline-quality bout as Manon Fiorot, ranked 2nd, takes on former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso, ranked 3rd. Grasso is a Mexican-American fighter who holds a special connection with Noche UFC audiences, having competed at the event previously. Her blend of technical striking and ground skills makes her a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.
Fiorot, the French finisher, carried an unbeaten run through much of her UFC tenure and has remained relentless in pressing for a world title shot. With both women positioned in the top 3 of the division, the outcome of this fight will have a direct bearing on the next women’s flyweight title challenger. This is one of the most consequential bouts on the entire card from a divisional standpoint.
Heavyweight Power: Cortes-Acosta vs. Blaydes
The heavyweight division adds firepower to the main card as Waldo Cortes-Acosta, ranked 5th, faces former interim heavyweight title challenger Curtis Blaydes, ranked 6th. The Colombian Cortes-Acosta is an aggressive, heavy-handed fighter who prefers to keep bouts standing, while Blaydes relies on elite wrestling and pressure to grind opponents down. The strategic contrast between the 2 fighters promises a compelling chess match with world title implications in the heavyweight landscape.
Blaydes has challenged for the interim heavyweight title and remains one of the most credentialed grapplers in the division. A win here for either fighter would push them to the edge of contendership at 265 pounds.
Preliminary Card
The prelims begin at 2pm EDT (7pm BST) on Paramount+ and feature 7 bouts across multiple weight classes.
Tim Elliott faces Edgar Chairez in flyweight action, with Ignacio Bahamondes taking on Muslim Salikhov at welterweight. Yousri Belgaroui meets Djorden Santos at middleweight, and Drakkar Klose faces Thomas Gantt at lightweight. Rafa Garcia goes up against Rong Zhu in another lightweight contest. JJ Aldrich and Regina Tarin settle a women’s flyweight clash, while Sean King takes on Jessie Rosas to round off the featherweight action on the prelim card.
The Noche UFC Tradition
Noche UFC has developed into one of the UFC’s signature annual dates, timed to coincide with Mexico’s Independence Day on 16 September. The event typically showcases Latin and Mexican fighters prominently across the card and draws a passionate crowd to the arena. The 2026 edition is the fourth running of the event and the third at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, which has become the established home venue for the series.
The celebration of Mexican and Latin culture is reflected throughout the entire event presentation, from the fighter selections to the in-arena atmosphere. For fans with a connection to Mexican combat sports heritage, Noche UFC has become a must-watch event on the annual calendar.
How to Watch Noche UFC
Noche UFC on 12 September 2026 is broadcast exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States. Preliminary bouts begin at 2pm EDT (7pm BST), with the main card starting at 5pm EDT (10pm BST). International broadcast arrangements vary by territory.
Full Fight Card
Main Card (5pm EDT / 10pm BST, Paramount+)
- Jean Silva vs. Jose Delgado – Featherweight (Main Event)
- Brandon Moreno vs. Joseph Morales – Flyweight
- Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso – Women’s Flyweight
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes – Heavyweight
- Tommy McMillen vs. Marwan Rahiki – Featherweight
- David Martinez vs. Dan Ige – Bantamweight
Preliminary Card (2pm EDT / 7pm BST, Paramount+)
- Tim Elliott vs. Edgar Chairez – Flyweight
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Muslim Salikhov – Welterweight
- Yousri Belgaroui vs. Djorden Santos – Middleweight
- Drakkar Klose vs. Thomas Gantt – Lightweight
- Rafa Garcia vs. Rong Zhu – Lightweight
- JJ Aldrich vs. Regina Tarin – Women’s Flyweight
- Sean King vs. Jessie Rosas – Featherweight