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Jose Delgado says the short-notice Jean Silva assignment is bigger than simply saving a fight week. Delgado is set to face Silva in the Noche UFC main event on September 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, after the bout was reshuffled from Silva's original matchup with Yair Rodriguez. Delgado explained the stakes in a new UFC on Paramount+ interview clip. Delgado said he wanted a place on the card, but not at any cost. He framed the Silva fight as the kind of opportunity that changes his immediate standing, a sharper explanation than the earlier pre-fight back-and-forth that followed his knockout warning toward Silva. “I wasn't just going to take a regular fight just because it would have relatively short notice.” “Jean Silva main event spot, this is a fight that pushes me to title contention.” “This is a spot that elevates me immediately.” Delgado Sees A Fast Track In Glendale The 27-year-old Delgado enters the Noche UFC main event at 12-2, while Silva brings a 17-3 record and a higher-profile position in the featherweight picture. That is why Delgado treated the call as different from a normal late-notice offer. “This is a spot that you can't say no to, that I'd be foolish to say no to.” “I say yes to the opportunity to be great.” The fight also continues a busy run of public storylines around Delgado. Anthony Pettis is already involved in his corner after joining Delgado's team for the Silva fight. Now Delgado has the main-event slot and a clear public statement about what he believes the matchup can do for him.