Rejected again? ?
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight Ranking No. 1 Movsar Evloyev A controversial majority decision was achieved Lerone Murphy in the main event of UFC London last weekend (Saturday, May 21, 2026) at the O2 Arena in London, England – a result that, on paper, should cement his status as the next title challenger.
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But what about today’s UFC?
Nothing is guaranteed.
That’s what’s so frustrating about the defending featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Volkanovski has previously expressed interest in fighting Evloev and even planned a fight earlier this year. Instead, he was booked in a rematch with his opponent. Diego Lopez – A fight that almost no one in the world wants – may now be staring at another unexpected challenger Jean Silvahe has been fighting for the title.
The Australian is not happy with how things have turned out.
“I’ll be honest about Silva’s situation – he hasn’t proven himself yet,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “He fought a top guy and lost – I beat him twice handily. If I beat him, then he’s going to lose to your Movsar and Lelon Murphy and people are going to look back and say, ‘Why did he fight that guy?'”
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Volkanovski made it clear that he’s not shying away from anyone – he just wants the pairing to make sense.
“Whoever the UFC asks me to fight, I’m going to fight,” he continued. “But when there’s a clear No. 1 contender, how many times am I going to fight guys who don’t deserve it? It’s getting ridiculous… and it’s gotten to the point where it makes me look like a bad guy for not fighting the No. 1 contender.”
In his mind, the department was settled.
“Everyone knows what type of champion I am,” Volkanovski said. “How many times have I been unable to fight the No. 1 contender? [Evloev] He was already No. 1, and then he played No. 3. Those guys were clearly ahead of everyone else. Diego Lopez is second, but I’ve played him twice. “
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And in his opinion, the answer is simple.
“Obviously Movsar,” Volkanovski added. “I’m a champion that’s easy to understand and I’ll face the best. Even if the UFC forces a guy like this [Jean Silva] No matter what, but eventually it gets to the point of: What are we doing here? we’re just wasting my [last few years]”.
For Volkanovski, it’s about legacy – and that means beating the best available.
“I want someone who’s undefeated, who’s beaten all the other contenders, all the top guys,” Volkanovski said. “I know if I beat him, my resume will look really good because of his record and the people he’s beaten. I’m sure he’s going to beat all the other contenders, so it’ll age well.”
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In an era where champions are often accused of picking favorable matchups, Volkanovski continues to push for the toughest opponents — even if the UFC doesn’t always see eye to eye.
The two-time featherweight champion is targeting a return this summer (July or August) for what will be his third title defense during his second reign.