Jean Silva says UFC has discussed a title fight with him, tells Volkanovski to take 'easy' payday

Jean Silva says he has already held discussions with the UFC about a featherweight title fight against champion Alexander Volkanovski. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday, October 28, the Brazilian contender said the promotion had invited him to Abu Dhabi, but that the decision ultimately rests with Volkanovski. He also hit back at Volkanovski's coach, Joe Lopez, who has said Silva has not earned the shot.

No fight has been booked. The UFC has not announced Volkanovski's next opponent.

'I'm the one who deserves to be next'

According to Helwani, Silva revealed he has had talks with the UFC about a potential title fight and was invited to Abu Dhabi, where Volkanovski defended his belt at UFC 333 on October 24.

"What I don't accept is people saying I'm not next, that I'm not the one who should be next. That I don't accept," Silva said. "If Volk doesn't want to fight me, that's another story. But I don't accept that I'm not deserving, because I'm the one who deserves to be next."

Silva had already staked his claim on the night of UFC 333. After Volkanovski stopped the previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev in the second round, Silva posted on Instagram: "Great job legend @alexvolkanovski, i'm next," as reported by VF Comunica.

Response to Joe Lopez

Lopez, Volkanovski's longtime coach, dismissed Silva's case in an interview with Submission Radio after UFC 333, as reported by MMA Mania. He said he would prefer a fight with former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.

"Jean Silva makes a lot of noise and he's a great fighter, but I don't think he's earned the spot," Lopez said. "There's a lot of guys in front of him that have done a lot better, like Aljo himself is up on the rankings and is a more formidable contender than Jean Silva."

Lopez added: "Look, he's a powerful dude and that's all he's got. If he catches you with one of his punches, he obviously can knock you out. But watching what Diego [Lopes] did to him on the ground and just mauled him, if Alex got him to the ground, it'll be over. There's no questions asked."

Silva told Helwani he found the comments confusing and urged Volkanovski to accept the fight if his camp sees it as so easy.

"It's confusing to see that this guy who's been around for a long time, who's making him one of the greatest athletes ever, thinks that by watching those moments against Diego Lopes, I would become an easy target on the ground," Silva said. "The wins, the performances I've had in this organization, I do believe I deserve more credit for that. But I think that's even better, because if he thinks it's that easy, it should be easy for Volk to accept the challenge."

Aldo over Volkanovski

On the same show, Silva said he still considers Jose Aldo the greatest featherweight of all time, ahead of Volkanovski. "We're talking about 10 years undefeated and being a champion. That has a lot of weight, and I think Volk would agree," he said. "If there's someone who has the authority and experience to speak on this, it's Volkanovski himself, and I think he would say it."

Where the featherweight title picture stands

• Volkanovski, 38, has floated a lightweight retirement superfight with Justin Gaethje but has also said he could keep fighting at 145 pounds if he did not take much damage.
• Before UFC 333, Volkanovski told MMA Junkie that Silva and Sterling were the two contenders who "stand out the most right now."
• Sterling faces Kevin Vallejos at UFC Fight Night 294 in Doha, Qatar, on November 21. Lopez said he has spoken with Sterling about a title fight and wants him to "put on a show."
• Silva (18-3 MMA) submitted Jose Delgado in the third round of the Noche UFC main event in September after beating Arnold Allen at UFC 324 in January, according to VF Comunica. His most recent loss was a second-round knockout by Diego Lopes in September 2025.

According to MMA Mania, UFC CEO Dana White has suggested there is little Volkanovski could ask for that the promotion would not seriously consider.