Many believed that Movsar Evloev would be the next competition in line to challenge the title of featherweight.
Before Alexander Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes to win the empty belt on UFC 314, the unbeaten Russian was mentioned by both men as the next in line.
It now seems that the UFC has decided to go in a different direction with Evloev who sends a message to Volkanovski on social media.
Instead, it seems likely that Yair Rodriguez will be confronted against the new champion in a rematch after his bounce decay victory over Patricio Pitbull, who also took place in Miami last month.
The Russian manager recently spoke about the current title photo on 145 pounds, where he unveiled the next steps from Evloev before the hunter himself spoke about the issue.
@alexvolkanovski thanks champion for trying to fight, I will fight in July and you will fight in September, hopefully we will both win and we can meet in December.
– Movsar Evloev (@Movsarufc) 22 May 2025
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Ali Abdelaziz says that another victory will finally earn Movsar Evloev his long -awaited title shot
In an interview with Submission Radio, Ali Abdelaziz suggested that Movsar Evloev will not fight for the featherweight title in his next outing.
He also stated that this is not a concern for the undefeated competition or his team while looking ahead to strengthen his status with another victory.
Abdelaziz has managed several hunters, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Belal Muhammad and Magomed Ankalaev, who have all had long roads to the belt, so this is nothing new for him.
“Islam Makhachev, I think it took 10 fights before he fought for the title. Khabib is 9. These kinds of boys, I start managing Movsar, and I have planned a road for him to fight for the title and I have experience with boys like Islam and Khabib and Belal who takes the long way to become a champion.”
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Abdelaziz is convinced that EVLOEV is clearly the rightful top candidate, but he also understands why the UFC may have chosen another option.
“There is no other rightful competition than Movsar, it does not even exist … He has defeated everyone who gave him. I think it is unfair, it is unjust. But guess is a company and if he has to fight 10 more boys, he will do it. It is what it is.
He has completed his thoughts by saying that he believes that another victory, which will take the winning series of Evloev in the UFC to 10, will be the last push they need.
“Listen, I'll be shocked if he doesn't get a title shot after another victory.”
What is the next step for Movsar Evloev if he doesn't fight for the title?
With Yair Rodriguez probably the following title -Utterdager at Federweight, that does not leave Movsar Evloev with many options for potential opponents.
Fortunately, the UFC has been able to put together a matchup that will certainly attract some attention with a long -awaited debut.
Bloody elbow sources have indicated that Evloev's next outing will see him confronted with the recently signed Bellator front view Aaron Pico.
The fight is expected to take place as a Co-Main event with five round on July 26 on the return of the UFC to Abu Dhabi.