Movsar Evloev Throws Down the Gauntlet: “Yair and Silva Must Go Through Me for a Title Shot”

The UFC featherweight division is buzzing with contenders, but Movsar Evloev is making it clear: if Yair Rodriguez or Jean Silva want a crack at Alexander Volkanovski’s newly reclaimed title, they’ll have to get through him first. In a bold statement on social media, the undefeated Russian laid out his challenge: “If you have contender who deserves it more than I, just let me test him.”

Movsar Evloev tells Yair Rodriguez and Jean Silva to go through him if they want a title shot.

“If you have contender who deserves it more than I, just let me test him.”

(via @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/15GWCTRP0v

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 15, 2025

Evloev’s Unbeaten Streak Demands Respect

Movsar Evloev’s claim to the next title shot is hard to ignore. Sitting at 9-0 in the UFC and ranked #4 in the featherweight division, Evloev’s resume boasts recent wins over elite competition, including a unanimous decision over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310. His style may not be flashy, every UFC win has come by decision, but his consistency and ability to neutralize opponents have made him one of the most avoided men at 145 pounds.

I beat

Diego Lopes
Aljamain Sterling
Arnold Allen
Dan Ige

No one has a better resume than me in 145lbs except for the Champion.

I have the longest winning streak in the Featherweight Division.

Me vs @alexvolkanovski end of June IFW

— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) April 14, 2025

After UFC 314, where Alexander Volkanovski outpointed Diego Lopes to reclaim the featherweight crown, the title picture became crowded. Yair Rodriguez snapped a two-fight skid with a dominant win over Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, immediately calling for a rematch with Volkanovski, whom he lost to at UFC 290. Meanwhile, Jean Silva continued his meteoric rise by submitting Bryce Mitchell, then pleaded for a title shot, citing his five-fight UFC win streak, all finishes.

Despite the noise, Evloev’s argument is simple: merit should matter. “Yair, if you want to fight for the title, you have to beat me first, and then you deserve it,” he told MMA Junkie. “I think it was the best fight for Yair Rodriguez in forever, and with ‘Pitbull,’ he’s a dangerous opponent, but I don’t think that’s enough to fight for the title. Because he had his chance, and he just skipped it.”

Rodriguez, Silva, and the Volkanovski Factor

The featherweight division is at a crossroads. Volkanovski, now a two-time champion, has publicly named both Evloev and Rodriguez as possible first challengers of his new reign, saying, “Yair was saying he wants the title shot… If the UFC want to give it to him, I’m not going to stop that for him… Obviously you’ve got Movsar, he’s undefeated, and I would love to take that zero.”

Jean Silva, ranked #11 after UFC 314, is the division’s hottest new prospect, but even he admits that if he’s not next for the belt, he wants a fight that puts him on the doorstep of contention. The consensus among fans and pundits is that Silva needs another signature win, while Rodriguez’s recent victory may not be enough to leapfrog Evloev’s spotless record.

Online, the MMA community has rallied behind Evloev’s stance, with many calling it “outrageous” that he hasn’t already been granted a title shot. Some see him as the rightful next challenger, while others acknowledge the UFC’s tendency to prioritize star power and marketability over pure merit.

As the dust settles from UFC 314, the message from Movsar Evloev is unmistakable: the road to Volkanovski’s throne runs through him. Whether the UFC matchmakers heed his call or opt for a different narrative, one thing is clear—Evloev is no longer content to wait in the wings. The gauntlet has been thrown, and the featherweight division is on notice.