Jean Silva argues why he should be next for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Silva (16-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) remained unbeaten in the octagon when he ran through Bryce Mitchell for a Round 2 submission this past Saturday at UFC 314 in Miami. With the win, the Fighting Nerds member debuted in the UFC featherweight rankings at No. 11.
Silva took to X to explain his case for a shot at newly crowned featherweight champion Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC), who defeated Diego Lopes to reclaim the vacant belt in Saturday’s main event.
“I don’t think anyone is going to give me anything,” Silva said. “If it’s not a title shot, then it better be a fight that puts me right there. But let’s look at the facts: Volk said he wants to stay active and face the best in the division. I’ve already proven that I deserve it and that I’m the best. Diego Lopes got a title shot with five wins and one loss, with two of those wins by decision, while I have five wins, all by finish. This is the fight that makes sense. I deserve it, and I’m ready!
“I faced the biggest knockout artist at lightweight and knocked him out. I took on one of the best grapplers in the division and submitted him. I beat a guy who had never been knocked out, and I knocked him out. And I also faced a multi-time world kickboxing champion and knocked him out, too. If I don’t deserve a title shot, I don’t know who does. I trust the UFC, Dana White, Hunter (Campbell), and Sean Shelby. I’m ready for whatever they decide.”
Silva also took a dig at frontrunner Movsar Evloev, whom Volkanovski mentioned as a possibility before and after UFC 314.
“I’m thinking here after I respectfully said that I wanted to face Volk next that a bunch of guys that nobody cares about showed up and start to talk about that fight too. I’m definitely in the right way.”
I’m thinking here after I respectfully said that I wanted to face Volk next that a bunch of guys that nobody cares about showed up and start to talk about that fight too. I’m definitely in the right way. pic.twitter.com/meyHS5K3Oq
— Jean de Lord Silva (@Jeansilvamma96) April 15, 2025
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.
