Jean Silva believes that he can leapfrog over whoever wins out of Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy.
It seemed clear that the UFC London primary event would determine Alexander Volkanovski’s next title challenger.
Nevertheless, a recent report has suggested that Volkanovski vs Silva is already “practically confirmed” for International Fight Week in July.
The Brazilian doesn’t just imagine that it makes more sense for him to fight for the belt next, he plans on proving it along with his performance.
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Jean Silva believes he’s the ‘total package’ and can prove it against Alexander Volkanovski
Lerone Murphy pushed back against Jean Silva’s title shot claim by stating that the fan favorite is 1-1 in his recent fights.
Nevertheless, fan criticism to Diego Lopes getting a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski didn’t stop that fight from happening despite there being more deserving contenders at featherweight.
Lopes had the advantage of being an exciting fighter whom the UFC are behind, which Silva believes he also offers when explaining why he thinks he needs to be next.
“I need to be the following title challenger because I’m the total package. The proper package the UFC needs straight away,” he told MMA Fighting. “I understand the UFC isn’t only a sports league, it’s also a media company. And at the tip of the day, every little thing revolves around viewership, interest, and delivery.
“Today, within the 145-pound division, nobody brings what I bring. Performance contained in the octagon and the flexibility to sell fights outside of it. If you happen to really take a look at it, no one sells a fight the way in which I do.”
There’s no denying that Murphy or Movsar Evloev are essentially the most deserving contenders based on merit, but when their clash on March 21 doesn’t produce a highlight, Silva’s case will only be stronger.
‘Lord’ said that he hopes that the UFC London primary event does deliver something special because even that may not stop him from getting the following title shot.
“This isn’t about them, it’s about me,” he said. “It’s in regards to the standard I bring. I don’t step in to win decisions, I step in there to knock people out. I am going in to complete fights, you already know? And that’s exactly what I’m going to do against Volkanovski… I can guarantee you one thing, obviously: I’m going to knock out Volkanovski.”
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Jean Silva has a novel motivation for wanting to be the following title challenger
Jean Silva believes Lerone Murphy is an “easier fight” for Alexander Volkanovski than he’s and Movsar Evloev is “lower risk”.
‘The Great’ occurring to beat either of the UFC London primary eventers would see him break Jose Aldo’s record for essentially the most title wins within the history of the promotion’s featherweight division (9).
Having the chance to be the one to defend Aldo’s record is an additional source of motivation for Silva, who told MMA Fighting that he’d want his fellow Brazilian in attendance for the fight.
“I’ll carry that into the Octagon,” he said. “I’ll ensure Jose Aldo is there at hand me the belt alongside Dana [White] since the belt will return to Brazil after 10 years. Imagine receiving that belt from him? That’s greater than a dream, it’s the conclusion of Brazil returning to the highest of the featherweight division.”