Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev Title Fight May Not Happen Next Due to ‘Legend vs Legend’ Possibility

A former opponent of Movsar Evloev believes he can be the next in line to fight Alexander Volkanovski if everything goes his way this weekend.

Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev Title Fight May Not Happen Next Due to ‘Legend vs Legend’ Possibility

Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev [via Bloody Elbow and MMA Fighting]

In Short
  • Movsar Evloev is the top contender for the featherweight title, currently on a 10-fight winning streak.
  • Aljamain Sterling believes a win over Youssef Zalal could position him for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski.
  • Lerone Murphy disputes Evloev's victory in their recent fight, claiming he should have won or at least drawn.

By all accounts, undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev should be the next challenger for the 145-pound belt. Not only is he ranked no. 1 in the world, he is also on a 10-fight winning streak in the UFC. However, there is a scenario in which Alexander Volkanovski‘s next opponent isn’t Evloev. At least, that’s what former bantamweight champion and No. 5 ranked featherweight, Aljamain Sterling thinks.

The ‘Funkmaster’ is set to take on Youssef Zalal at the Apex this weekend. Sterling believes he could be fastracked for a shot at Volkanovski’s belt by winning his upcoming fight. Zalal is 5-0 in his latest UFC run and ranked no. 8 in the world at featherweight. A win over him would be great for the former bantamweight champion.

Even so, that still wouldn’t be as impressive as beating Lerone Murphy, the No. 3 ranked featherweight, like Movsar Evloev did. However, Sterling believes there is a hidden appeal to the fight between him and Volkanovski that the fight against Evloev just doesn’t have.

So, I go out there and I do this in an impressive fashion. I don’t see any reason why my name is not tossed in the hat to potentially challenge Volk. I mean, it’s a legend versus legend fight. I just don’t see why, if I can get a good win, I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to make, I think, the bigger fight that you can make at this weight class right now in terms of the name value.

Aljamain Sterling on how he could leapfrog Movsar Evloev

While it is true that both he and Volkanovski are legends, a win over Zalal this weekend still wouldn’t put Sterling next in line. After all, the former bantamweight champion lost to Movsar Evloev. Had he won that fight, what he is saying could have come to fruition.

A win over the no. 1 contender in the world, even if it is in the past, can help catapult a fighter to a title shot. The UFC demonstrated this by booking Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev despite the former being ranked below Nassourdine Imavov.

Strickland defeated Imavov back in January, 2023 at the UFC Apex. Now, the American middleweight has leapfrogged Imavov in the title picture despite only being on a 1-fight winning streak.

Aljamain Sterling believes he should have won the fight against Evloev at UFC 310. Nonetheless, the ex-bantamweight champ still has a loss on his resume. Couple that with Evloev beating higher ranked opponents and being on a longer winning streak makes him the clear No. 1 contender. However, Evloev’s last opponent believes that streak should not have remained intact following their fight.

Lerone Murphy believes Movsar Evloev did not win their fight

Featherweight contender Lerone Murphy lost his undefeated record to Movsar Evloev at UFC London in front of his home crowd. The fight was close with Evloev landing two low blows that led to a point deduction. Even so, the decision ultimately went the Russian’s way.

Lerone Murphy, Movsar Evloev
Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy at UFC London [via MMA Fighting]

Two judges scored the fight for Evloev, 48-46 but one scored it a draw. Murphy believes that he won the fight and at worst, the other 2 judges should have sided with the one who scored it a draw. The Englishman revealed all this in a YouTube short on his channel.

UFC London this past weekend, I took my first ‘L,’ took it like a man, but I believe I should have got the nod. I believe I won the first three rounds. At worst, it was a draw…I believe I took the first three rounds.

Lerone Murphy after his loss to Movsar Evloev

That said, the 34-year-old still gave credit to his opponent for a “great fight.” Moreover, he believes Evloev will go onto fight for the title next. He also hopes that he and the undefeated contender could have a rematch down the line. For now, though, the Manchester native is rehabilitating quite a few injuries, planning to be back by fall time.

With Movsar Evloev’s former opponent co-signing his title shot, it is difficult to see Aljamain Sterling getting it. This is especially with Evloev himself clamoring for a title shot far back as last year. However, there is always a chance the UFC does see eye-to-eye with Sterling on the importance of name value. In that case, legend vs legend, it is!

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