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Volkanovski’s coach dismisses Jean Silva’s UFC title hopes

Originally posted on HITC | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 4:02 PM ET

There’s little doubt who the UFC featherweight champion has his eye on for his next opponent.

Alexander Volkanovski is coming off a title defense that didn’t generate much excitement, and even he admitted it wasn’t entirely justified.

He regained the belt from Diego Lopes in April and defended it again in February at UFC 325, even though many believed Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev had stronger cases for a shot.

Volkanovski’s team is now focused on securing a bout with the winner of last Saturday’s UFC London main event, rather than the vocal contender who was there watching from the front row.

Volkanovski’s coach dismisses Jean Silva’s title hopes after UFC London

One of the division’s unbeaten fighters had to take a loss at UFC London, and it was Murphy who came up short, dropping a close majority decision to Movsar Evloev.

Volkanovski has always wanted a chance to face the unbeaten Russian, and now he hopes that matchup will be next in line.

But Jean Silva believes his style and personality should be enough to leapfrog him into title contention.

The Australian champion isn’t alone in that view. His coach is backing him up.

“Jean Silva or whatever his name is, barking like the little dog that he is in the background, trying to make a lot of noise to make himself think he’s the next one,” Joe Lopez said during a recent interview on Submission Radio.

“But he’s not deserving. There are still Aljo and guys above him. He’s got to earn his spot.”

“Don’t think that because you make a lot of noise, you’re going to get it, because you’re not,” he added.

Since then, Silva has only managed one win – defeating Arnold Allen at UFC 324 earlier this year.

A 1-1 record across those two bouts hasn’t exactly helped his case for a title shot either, especially with other contenders like Evloev waiting in line.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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