Noche UFC continues to shape up as one of the most intriguing fight cards of the year, with the UFC officially adding a pivotal lightweight matchup between Alexander Hernandez and Carlos Diego Ferreira. The fight pairs two experienced contenders who have both faced their share of ups and downs in the stacked 155-pound division. Scheduled for September 13th, this bout marks Hernandez’s return to the cage against one of the most battle-tested veterans in Ferreira, and it carries significant weight in determining both men’s place in the competitive UFC lightweight landscape.
Alexander Hernandez will fight Carlos Diego Ferreira at #NocheUFC on September 13th. (first rep. @WristlockMMA) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/hdrDQZLWRQ
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) August 28, 2025
Hernandez (17-8) and Ferreira (19-6) have had distinct but interestingly parallel career paths. Both entered the UFC with bursts of momentum, showed flashes of brilliance, yet struggled with consistency against the very top of the division. For Hernandez, the matchup is an opportunity to finally deliver on the promise he showed when he shocked the world with a debut knockout of Beneil Dariush back in 2018. For Ferreira, it’s a chance to halt what has been a tough run of recent results and remind fans that he once sat firmly in the lightweight top ten.
This Noche UFC booking carries all the ingredients of a potential sleeper fight of the night: stylistic clash, high stakes, and two athletes determined to prove they still belong among the UFC’s elite.
Hernandez’s Looks to Keep Momentum Going at Noche UFC
Alexander Hernandez’s UFC journey can best be described as a rollercoaster. At just 25 years old, he entered the promotion with confidence, bravado, and a game-changing knockout of Dariush that instantly positioned him as one of the division’s most promising prospects. The UFC rewarded that momentum by booking him against big names early, including a highly publicized fight with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. But as Hernandez climbed the rankings, the results became inconsistent, revealing the challenges of competing against seasoned veterans.
Losses to skilled competitors like Drew Dober, Renato Moicano, and Billy Quarantillo showed Hernandez’s vulnerabilities, particularly under pressure. Still, he has displayed undeniable talent in spurts — fast hands, powerful counter-striking, and a willingness to engage aggressively, especially with his recent victory against Chase Hooper.
Alexander Hernandez with the finish! 👊🏼 #UFC319
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) August 17, 2025
Ferreira’s Battle for Career Revival
Carlos Diego Ferreira may be one of lightweight’s most underappreciated technicians. Known for a smothering Brazilian jiu-jitsu base complemented by aggressive striking, Ferreira quietly built a six-fight winning streak from 2016 to 2020, a stretch that saw him defeat respected names like Anthony Pettis and Mairbek Taisumov. That run catapulted him into the lightweight top ten and earned him fights with the division’s elite.
But the road has been unforgiving since then. Losses to Beneil Dariush in a rematch, Gregor Gillespie in a grueling Fight of the Night, and a series of tough matchups left Ferreira struggling to regain the momentum he’d once enjoyed. Injuries and long layoffs also contributed to halting his rise just as he seemed poised for a wider breakout. Now 40 years old, time is not exactly on Ferreira’s side, but he remains a dangerous opponent with elite grappling credentials and proven durability.
Stylistically, this matchup is compelling. Hernandez thrives when he controls the striking tempo, using his speed and power to overwhelm opponents early. Ferreira, by contrast, is capable of weathering storms and dragging fights into grinding, technical battles. If the fight hits the mat, Ferreira’s jiu-jitsu advantage could be decisive. If Hernandez keeps it standing and maintains range discipline, his athleticism could carry the night.
Noche UFC Confirmed Fight Card
As part of Noche UFC, a card annually tied to celebrating Mexican Independence Day with high-energy fights and stylistically fan-friendly matchups, here are the confirmed fights for Noche UFC so far:
- Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva
- Rob Font vs. TBA
- Amanda Lemos vs. Tatiana Suarez
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
- Daniil Donchenko vs. Rodrigo Sezinando
- Rafa Garcia vs. Jared Gordon
- Alexander Hernandez vs. Diego Ferreira
- Jesus Aguilar vs. Luis Gurule
- Alice Pereira vs. Montserrat Rendon
- Claudio Puelles vs. Joaquim Silva
- Jose Medina vs. Dusko Todorovic
- Sedriques Dumas vs. Zach Reese
- Alden Coria vs. Alessandro Costa
- Quang Le vs. David Martinez
For fans, it’s a chance to witness two established veterans throw everything on the line in what could be a high-paced contest with real drama. For the fighters, it may well be a career-defining moment. On September 13th, both men will step into the Octagon with more than just a win at stake — they’ll be fighting for their place in the ever-chaotic lightweight picture.
