Volkanovski's Coach Dismisses Jean Silva as a Title Contender
Joe Lopez says Jean Silva is barking like a little dog and has not earned a shot at Alexander Volkanovski's featherweight title.
Alexander Volkanovski's coach Joe Lopez is not interested in Jean Silva, and he is not being diplomatic about it.
Speaking on Submission Radio after Volkanovski's dominant TKO of Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, Lopez dismissed Silva's campaign for a title shot outright. "Jean Silva or whatever his name is, barking like the little dog that he is in the background," Lopez said, per HITC.
Lopez made it clear that Silva has not done enough to earn a crack at the belt. The Brazilian has one win in his last two fights, a victory over Arnold Allen at UFC 324, and Lopez pointed to other fighters who rank ahead of him in the queue.
Instead, Volkanovski's camp is looking at the winner of the UFC London main event. Evloev, who Volkanovski just finished in Abu Dhabi, beat Lerone Murphy by majority decision at that event before earning his title shot. Lopez suggested the next challenger should come from that level of the division.
Silva has been vocal about wanting the Volkanovski fight, calling out the champion on social media and in interviews. He has power and highlight-reel finishes, but Lopez clearly believes that is not enough to justify jumping the line.
Volkanovski regained the featherweight title from Diego Lopes in April and looked every bit the champion at UFC 333. He shrugged off Evloev's wrestling with ease and finished the fight in the second round. At 38, the featherweight GOAT debate is getting harder to argue against him.
I get why Silva is loud. The UFC rewards noise, and if you are a knockout artist who finishes people, making a scene on social media is the fastest way to get Dana's attention. But Joe Lopez is right. One win does not get you a title fight at featherweight. Not in this division, not against this champion.
Volkanovski just made the most dangerous challenger in the division look like a sparring partner. Evloev had not lost a fight in his career and Volk stopped him in two rounds while fighting sick. That is not a man you rush into a fight with because you have a nice left hand.
Silva needs another win, maybe two, against someone in the top five. Get past a wrestler like Evloev or a complete fighter like Ilia Topuria, and the conversation changes. Until then, Lopez has every right to wave him off.
