Michael Chiesa has mapped out how he sees the UFC featherweight title picture shaping up for Alexander Volkanovski, and he’s leaning heavily toward one unbeaten contender.
Chiesa said he wants Movsar Evloev to be next in line for Volkanovski’s title, pointing to Evloev’s perfect record at 20-0 in MMA and 10-0 in the UFC, while also keeping Jean Silva firmly in the mix.
"It should be Movsar for sure just given the fact he's undefeated. You also have to take into account that I think Movsar Evloev has been booked 21 times and has only fought 10 or something. I know he's had staph a couple times, he's had injury woes. Some things that are out of his control. But a lot of times that's overtraining and pushing things too much. It should be Movsar Evloev, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's Jean Silva," Chiesa said, later adding, "Would you be surprised if they give it to Jean Silva?"
Chiesa does not see the UFC Fight Night 274 headliner in Las Vegas as a direct title eliminator, despite Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal meeting in the main event at the UFC APEX on Saturday.
"It doesn't matter who wins between Zalal and Sterling, I don't think they're going to be the next person," Chiesa said. "I think it's Movsar, Jean Silva and whoever is left, whoever wins between Aljo and Zalal is going to be left to fight whoever doesn't get picked between Jean Silva and Movsar."
