Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ESPN 59

Drew Dober and Jean Silva meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 59 from Ball Arena in Denver. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 2-2
UFC main cards, 2024: 54-51-2

Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva UFC on ESPN 59 preview

Dober (27-13 MMA, 13-9 UFC) will enter UFC on ESPN 59 with the opportunity to once again take sole possession of the promotion’s lightweight knockout record. Right now, he’s tied with Dustin Poirier at nine. Dober, 35, who’s 4-2 in his past six bouts, is coming off a hard-fought unanimous decision loss to Renato Moicano this past February. … Silva, a 27-year-old Dana White’s Contender Series alum, hopes to make it three straight wins to kick off his UFC career. Silva (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is turning around quickly after a second-round knockout of Charles Jourdain just two weeks ago at UFC 303.

Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva UFC on ESPN 59 expert pick, prediction

Even though Dober vs. Silva is essentially the quintessential example of a perfect main-card opener, I suppose I should just be grateful that the matchmakers have prominently featured this fight.

Among the matchmaking casualties this card has sustained, Dober – who was initially slated to face Mike Davis – was almost forced off this card if not for the efforts of Silva and the UFC.

Fresh off a second-round starching of Charles Jourdain two weeks ago at UFC 303, Silva will attempt to join the ranks of fighters like Chris Leben and Chas Skelly in regard to record-winning turnarounds in the UFC.

Jean Silva, who is stepping in on short notice to fight Drew Dober at #UFCDenver, is officially 1-0 opposite UFC-level southpaws (W: Westin Wilson)

That said, Silva also recently beat a stance-switching Charles Jourdain, who primarily fought him from southpaw. #TheSouthpawReport pic.twitter.com/KrNzcRs122

— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) July 12, 2024

Despite officially standing at just 1-0 opposite UFC-level southpaws, the dynamic of Silva’s game doesn’t change much based on the stance pairing.

Silva’s striking dynamic doesn’t change too much based on the stance pairing: he still feints/show his lead hand in hopes of drawing out counter opps and unloads once he can corral his foes to the fence.

Jourdain found brief success by smartly building off of leg and bodywork: pic.twitter.com/EQf7eEUTIb

— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) July 12, 2024

I’m not sure how much pressuring Silva will get to do against a fighter like Dober, but I suspect that his countering prowess and power will probably provide problems for the American early. That said, if Dober can survive the early storms, then I suspect that he will be able to pull away with more offense down the stretch.

It feels like a chancy pick and method, but I’ll officially side with Dober to win a nail-biting unanimous decision.

Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva UFC on ESPN 59 odds

The oddsmakers and the public have this fight at a pick’em, listing Dober -110 and Silva -110 via FanDuel.

Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva UFC on ESPN 59 start time, how to watch

As the featured bout, Dober and Silva are expected to make their walks to the cage at approximately 11:35 p.m. ET (9:35 p.m. local time in Denver). The fight airs on ESPN and streams live on ESPN+.