A former UFC bantamweight champion wants to fight No. 6-ranked 145-pound contender Jean Silva in November at UFC 334.
This past weekend at Noche UFC, Silva extended his win streak to 2 by submitting short-notice opponent Jose Miguel Delgado in Round 3.
After the finish, Silva immediately jumped out of the octagon to speak to Hunter Campbell. Later, during the octagon interview, he announced himself as the “new champion” and voiced his desire to face the winner of the UFC 333 headliner, where current and two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his title against top contender Movsar Evloev. “Lord” said:
“This message is not for the division. It’s not for anybody out there. It’s for the next champion. Whoever holds that belt, the next champion is right here. There’s a new champion in town.”
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Jean Silva of Brazil punches Jose Delgado in their featherweight fight during the Noche UFC event at Desert Diamond Arena on September 12, 2026, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Meanwhile, a former UFC champ, who believes he should be the next title challenger after Evloev and therefore Silva must wait, has also called out “Lord.”
Aljamain Sterling calls out Jean Silva
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, now fighting in the featherweight division and riding a two-fight win streak, has his eyes on two-division glory.
After Silva’s Noche UFC win, “Funk Master” called out the Brazilian, offering to face him in November (UFC 334) at Madison Square Garden in a featherweight title eliminator bout. Sterling posted on X:
“Aljamain Sterling vs. Jean Silva for No. 1 contender fight at MSG, November 14th.”
The 37-year-old also added that he is next in line after Movsar Evloev, or he and Silva, and can fight to decide who deserves to be the title challenger.
“I’m next in line. Or we can fight for it. December. Run it.”
Check out Aljamain Sterling’s comments below: