Preview: UFC Fight Night 239 Prelims

Featherweights

Joshua Culibao (11-2-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. Danny Silva (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Culibao (-192), Silva (+160)

Culibao’s success in the UFC has been a pleasant surprise. The Australian looked like the type of fighter who would struggle against superior athleticism when the promotion picked him up in 2020, but “Kuya” has proven crafty enough to get by. Culibao is still at an athletic disadvantage against most of his opposition, but with a long reach and some thoughtful game planning, he has been able to outmaneuver some explosive but limited foes or—in the case of his 2023 submission win over Melsik Baghdasaryan—simply stay patient and wait for his opportunity to pounce on a mistake. Lerone Murphy finally proved to be the first man who could beat Culibao at featherweight in July, but that speaks to Murphy’s own strengths more than anything else. Another clearly superior athlete to Culibao, Murphy eventually landed on a wrestling advantage and went back to that well often once he found success. Culibao now gets a step back against a UFC newcomer in Silva, who makes his return after one of the best fights in Dana White’s Contender Series history—a three-round war against Angel Pacheco that earned both men contracts in September. Silva is a talented fighter with a straightforward approach, looking to walk forward and outpunch his opponents; and while changing things up with some takedowns did not get him anywhere against Pacheco, he at least showed a willingness to try. Silva’s own takedown defense has been relatively suspect, so if Culibao has any inclination to wrestle during his UFC career, that might be a way to salt away this win. No matter what route he takes, the UFC vet looks capable of outmaneuvering Silva over the better part of three rounds, even if there is a clear risk of this devolving into a war at any time. The pick is Culibao via decision.

Jump To »
Moises vs. Ramirez
Davis vs. Levy
Nunes vs. Chandler
Filho vs. Osbourne
Culibao vs. Silva
McKenna vs. Amorim
Grigoriou vs. Anheliger