Silva Dismisses Sterling's Title Eliminator Callout

Jean Silva has no interest in Aljamain Sterling's pitch for a title eliminator.

Silva stopped Jose Delgado with a third-round rear-naked choke at Noche UFC 4 in Glendale on Saturday, his second straight win since a TKO loss to Diego Lopes last September. Sterling posted — then deleted — a message on X suggesting the pair meet in a No. 1 contender bout at 145 pounds. Silva responded with a shrug at the post-fight press conference.

"As we like to say in Brazil: Talk me up, talk me down or talk sh*t. But talk about me," Silva said, per MMA Junkie. "Go ahead. Next question."

Silva Eyes Winner Of Volkanovski-Evloev

The Fighting Nerds product wants the winner of Alexander Volkanovski versus Movsar Evloev instead. That featherweight title fight headlines UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. Silva said the September loss to Lopes gave him renewed focus heading into this run, though some remain skeptical he has the tools to trouble either champion-level opponent.

Sterling has won two straight since dropping a competitive decision to Evloev in late 2024. The former bantamweight champion beat Brian Ortega and Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision in his recent outings at featherweight. Sterling told reporters he turned down a matchup against an opponent outside the top 10, a decision that could complicate his path back to a title shot.

Silva improved to 18-3 with the finish. Sterling sits at 26-5 overall and 2-0 since moving up from 135 pounds.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Jean Silva scoffs at Aljamain Sterling’s No. 1 contender callout following Noche UFC win