Alexander Volkanovski has picked his next featherweight challenger, sort of. In comments shared by Ariel Helwani on X, the champion said Aljamain Sterling has the better claim to a title shot than Jean Silva, provided Sterling gets through Kevin Vallejos first.
“When we’re talking about who deserves it more, I’m gonna say Aljo. Especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin,” Volkanovski said.
He was just as clear about the flip side. “But if Aljo loses, then I think it’s just Jean. I think it really is up to that fight.”
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So the champ has effectively declared Sterling vs. Vallejos a title eliminator, with Silva sitting on the couch as the backup plan. Nobody has to make it official for that to carry weight. When the guy holding the belt tells you the order of the line, matchmakers tend to listen.
Fresh Off UFC 333
Volkanovski is speaking from a position of strength. He beat Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, and the UFC noted on X that the win moved him past Jose Aldo for the most title fight victories in UFC featherweight history. That’s a record Aldo held for a long time, and Volkanovski took it from him in a fight he apparently entered sick.
Happy Punch posted fight-day footage of Volkanovski dealing with a chest infection, and his line is the kind of thing you’d expect from a guy who’s been doing this as long as he has: “I’m sick, but the fight would be too easy if I felt too good anyway.”
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Evloev, for his part, took it with some dark humor. Championship Rounds noted that he changed his Instagram bio to read 0-1 after the loss.
The Topuria Door Is Still Open
Volkanovski also isn’t ruling out a trip north in weight. Asked about a rematch with Ilia Topuria, which Championship Rounds framed as something he’d want before he retires, he said he’d be into it under one condition. In an interview via @1bbradfo, he said, “That would be great too. If it’s gonna be for a lightweight title then yea.”
He added, “To get that win back would be great. I’m a competitor and I’d love to test myself against him.”
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That means the featherweight queue may not be the only thing on his calendar, which makes the Sterling vs. Silva pecking order a little less certain than it sounds.
Sal’s Take
I like the logic, and I like it for the reason Volkanovski gave. Sterling could have sat and waited for a call. He took a fight against a guy the champion himself calls dangerous, and active fighters who keep taking risks should get rewarded over guys who are holding a spot in line. The funny part is Silva’s position. His best path to a title shot now runs through Vallejos beating Sterling, which means one of the top contenders in the division is going to spend fight night cheering for somebody else. I’ve rooted for stranger things with money on the line. Most of them lost. I’ll wait to see where the Sterling vs. Vallejos line opens before I decide whether Silva should feel good about his odds or start booking a different fight.
