Chris Weidman: Jean Silva a tough challenge for anybody, beats Jose Delgado

Chris Weidman thinks Jean Silva may just be too much for Jose Delgado.

Silva (17-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) meets Delgado (12-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 288 (Paramount+), headliner at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Delgado got the short-notice opportunity after Yair Rodriguez withdrew due to injury.

Silva marks a big step up in competition for Delgado, who's coming off back-to-back wins over Andre Fili and Austin Bashi.

"It's a tough challenge for anybody because this dude just walks across the cage like a pit bull and tries to eat these dudes," Weidman said of Silva on Deep Waters. "He's barking at you. He's angry out there, so it's definitely a tough, tough situation to be in, but it's also a huge opportunity. Big risk, big rewards, and he's a scrapper. Very good on the feet, so I think we're going to have a striking war. I favor Jean Silva in this one."

Silva will look to make good on his second opportunity headlining Noche UFC. He was finished by Diego Lopes in a Fight of the Night effort last September, but was able to rebound with a decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 324.

MMA Lab's Delgado should have the crowd on his side being that he not only trains out of Arizona, but is of Mexican descent. However, Weidman doesn't necessarily see that being the case.

"I wonder where the fans are going to be at with that one," Weidman said. "You have a big Mexican crowd. Are they going to stand by their countryman? Jean Silva's just such a fan favorite."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Chris Weidman: Jean Silva 'a tough challenge for anybody,' beats Jose Delgado