Jean Silva has made it clear he believes he should be the next challenger for Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC featherweight title, not Movsar Evloev.
Silva says UFC officials and his management are already working to secure a title fight with Volkanovski and that his focus is firmly on gold. "I would actually get that belt. I'm getting that belt and then after that, I'll give a title shot to Diego as a rematch. ... I'm the next one in line for the title. I'm the next one that's going to get that belt. I'm taking that belt back to Brazil. Hunter (Campbell) is helping me out with that. My manager, Ivan (Jatoba) is helping me out with that. Dana (White), as well."
The Brazilian contender is also willing to stay active if needed before a potential championship opportunity. "If Volk wants to fight somebody, I'll be ready to fight him. If I have to fight somebody else or beat up on somebody else before on my way to fighting him, I'll fight him at the end of the year."
Silva pushed back on the idea that Evloev has been, in his words, "jumped over" in the title picture. "I don't think he's ever got jumped or anything like that or left behind," Silva said, adding, "I just think he's been stuck in his ways. He just hasn't progressed. This is a company. This is a business. You need to sell your fights."
Silva, 29, holds a 17-3 professional record and is 6-1 in the UFC, having rebounded from a TKO loss to Diego Lopes by defeating Arnold Allen via unanimous decision in January.
