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Both men have spotless records. Both have been pushing hard for their title shot. And now, in front of a packed O2 Arena crowd, one will likely punch their ticket to a crack at \u201cThe Great\u201d.<\/p>\n
Volkanovski made it clear <\/a>after his near-faultless recent title defense against Diego Lopes <\/a>that his next opponent will come from the top of the division.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are rankings for a reason and people who deserve it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Asked to pick a winner, the Aussie is leaning towards the Russian bogeyman.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I just think Movsar is going to be stronger. I think Movsar takes that,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an interesting fight. And if anyone can work a good game plan to keep him on the outside and make it hard for Movsar, Lerone could do that.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if I have to pick someone, Movsar.\u201d<\/p>\n SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 30: Alexander Volkanovski of Australia poses on the scale during the UFC 325 Ceremonial Weigh-in at Qudos Bank Arena on January 30, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Evloev has long been the dark horse in the division, grinding his way up the rankings with a suffocating grappling-heavy style. <\/p>\n He\u2019s certainly not a fan-favourite, but a win in London would make it difficult for matchmakers to ignore him for very much longer.<\/p>\n Standing opposite him, Lerone Murphy — a slick striker responsible for one of 2025\u2019s standout knockouts — will look to keep the fight upright and put Evloev away in front of his home crowd.<\/p>\n Murphy is confident the winner won\u2019t just earn a title shot — but will end up also dethroning the Windang Warrior later in the year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all on Saturday night. It\u2019s all on the performance,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cIt\u2019s all about how this fight goes, who looks good.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ll find out by the end of Saturday night who\u2019s fighting Volkanovski next.<\/p>\n \u201cThis fight should have been for the title really. It\u2019s a massive fight.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the winner goes on to be champion, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n But here\u2019s where it gets interesting.<\/p>\n Explosive Brazilian featherweight Jean Silva is also headed to London to be cageside this weekend \u2013 and he claims he will sign a contract to fight Volkanovski afterwards.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to travel, invited by Dana White and Hunter (Campbell), to watch Evloev\u2019s fight against Lerone Murphy closely and sign the contract for the belt,\u201d Silva said. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be the biggest promotion people have ever seen in history when that contract for the belt gets signed, because I\u2019m going to sell this fight.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter that boring fight [Evloev vs. Murphy], I\u2019m going to go up there and hand both of them their termination.\u201d<\/p>\n Russian featherweight star Movsar EvloevSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n It\u2019s a stance that flies in the face of Volk\u2019s own view.<\/p>\n The champion has made it clear that Silva, who is ranked sixth in the division, is out of the picture.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knows me, I\u2019ll fight anyone,\u201d said Volkanovski. <\/p>\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t think that\u2019s [a title fight with Silva] very likely to happen. I don\u2019t think he\u2019d be in a position to fight for the title, especially when you\u2019ve got Lerone Murphy and Movsar fighting very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, it wouldn\u2019t be completely out of the question for Silva to force his way into a title shot \u2013 particularly if Saturday\u2019s main event fails to deliver.<\/p>\n Of course, Silva may well have been standing opposite Volkanovski in Sydney earlier this year if he had not been stopped by Lopes in their September showdown.<\/p>\n Since that setback, \u2018Lord\u2019 has rebuilt momentum with a gritty decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 324 \u2013 and he\u2019s clearly hoping that rebound performance has thrust him straight back into the champion\u2019s line of sight.<\/p>\n He\u2019s not the only one.<\/p>\n Former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling has also thrown his name into the mix, backing his style as a perfect matchup for the Aussie legend.<\/p>\n \u201cMe and Volk, we\u2019re two technicians,\u201d Sterling told MMA Junkie Radio earlier this week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would put on a masterclass of MMA. I really do believe that. So, that\u2019s why that fight really intrigues me, and if they want to give me somebody else, I\u2019m going to figure out and strategize a way how to beat a guy like that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoever they put in front of me, I\u2019ve never told anybody no. I know Volk likes to stay active. I\u2019ve done everything these guys have wanted. <\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ll retire Volk, make him my chef\u2019: UFC star\u2019s cheeky threat as future Aussie bout <\/a>looms<\/a><\/p>\n