Jean Silva skipping Movsar Evloev for UFC title shot wouldn’t be surprising, says retired veteran

If Jean Silva gets the next UFC featherweight title shot over Movsar Evloev, don’t expect Michael Chiesa to be surprised.

Some MMA fans and experts believe that Evloev shouldn’t gotten the 145-pound title opportunity after defeating Aljamain Sterling in late 2024. Evloev ended up missing all of 2025, but he returned in March to defeat Lerone Murphy via majority decision.

Meanwhile, Silva has been pounding the table for a title fight against the current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. “Lord” argues that his exciting fighting style is what the UFC matchmakers are looking for these days.

During an interview with MMAJunkie.com, Chiesa said he wouldn’t be shocked if Silva ended up being next in line over Evloev.

“Would you be surprised if they give it to Jean Silva?” Chiesa said. “It should be Movsar for sure just given the fact he’s undefeated. You also have to take into account that I think Movsar Evloev has been booked 21 times and has only fought 10 or something. I know he’s had staph a couple times, he’s had injury woes. Some things that are out of his control. But a lot of times that’s overtraining and pushing things too much. It should be Movsar Evloev, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Jean Silva.”

On Saturday, Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal will be competing in the featherweight main event of UFC Vegas 116. Chiesa doesn’t believe the outcome will make a dent in terms of what the next featherweight title fight will be.

“It doesn’t matter who wins between Zalal and Sterling, I don’t think they’re going to be the next person,” Chiesa said. “I think it’s Movsar, Jean Silva and whoever is left, whoever wins between Aljo and Zalal is going to be left to fight whoever doesn’t get picked between Jean Silva and Movsar.”

Volkanovski has said he prefers to fight Evloev next based on merit. Whether or not the UFC brass feels the same way remains to be seen.

Ultimately, who do you think gets the next crack at the UFC Featherweight Championship. Join in on the conversation below.