LAS VEGAS – Danny Silva beat Lucas Almeida with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 253 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Silva, who has split decisions in both his UFC wins so far.
Danny Silva def. Lucas Almeida
Result: Danny Silva def. Lucas Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Silva (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Almeida (15-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Key stats: Silva landed 7 more strikes than Almeida – even though Almeida had more than 100 additional strike attempts.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 01: (R-L) Danny Silva punches Lucas Almeida of Brazil in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 01, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Silva on the fight’s key moment
“He actually damaged my forearm, so I felt like I couldn’t really throw my right hand anymore. It’s not that I wanted to cruise – I just couldn’t let my hand go because my hand was so jittery and I couldn’t close it tight to where I wanted to let it go. I knew he was throwing everything – the (kitchen sink). I was like, ‘This guy’s trying to throw a Hail Mary right now – he’s throwing that left hook the 2-cross’ and just trying to knock me out that last round. I was trying to be cautious and not trying to run into anything, especially because I wasn’t confident with my arm.”
By split decision!
Danny Silva begins a win streak after coming out on top at #UFCVegas103! pic.twitter.com/MrmRiOwyk6
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2025
Silva on the split decision
“It’s some bull. I thought I for sure won two rounds. I thought I cruised in the third round, but I had my reasons and I don’t think he did anything significant like how I had the first two rounds.”
Silva on what he wants next
“I’d like to fight three more times this year. Cub (Swanson) has been telling me I need to be active, and I agree with him. … I have names, fighters I want to fight. I want to get closer to that top 15. I want to show my boxing and show how good I am. One thing Cub has told me is it’s about the names you have underneath your belt.
“I’m ready to collect some heads. … It’s all respect. If I’m calling them out, it’s because I think they’re going to make fun fights with me. Nate ‘The Train’ (Landwehr) is one of those guys I feel like would be a really fun fight for the fans. It intrigues me. He’s a crazy fighter, and I’m ready to prove who I am with someone like that. I’m excited because I feel like I would surprise everybody.”
To hear more from Silva, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 253.
