Movsar Evloev already conceded that he wasn’t getting a title shot after revealing that he had accepted a battle at UFC Abu Dhabi however even yet one more win doesn’t essentially assure him receiving a possibility to change into champion.
On Wednesday, the UFC formally introduced Evloev going through ex-Bellator fighter Aaron Pico in a five-round co-main occasion headed to Abu Dhabi in July. Whereas he overestimated the cardboard and the significance surrounding this specific battle, UFC CEO Dana White stopped short of flat out declaring that one other win would assure Evloev a title shot.
“If Movsar can get the victory, he’ll possible be the subsequent contender for the title towards Alexander Volkanovski,” White mentioned. “Count on this battle to be an absolute conflict.”
Now this might simply be White studying from his previous expertise when he proclaims sure fights figuring out a brand new No. 1 contender after which being criticized when that doesn’t really come to fruition.
That mentioned, Evloev has quietly gained a variety of fan help for his standing as probably the most rightful challenger for the featherweight title after beginning his UFC profession with an ideal 9-0 file together with wins over Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes.
Sadly, his resume nonetheless wasn’t adequate to tug the set off on a title battle towards reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who publicly campaigned for Evloev to get the next shot at the belt.
All indicators have not too long ago pointed in direction of Yair Rodriguez doubtlessly getting one other crack on the belt regardless of only a 1-2 file in his previous three fights, which features a one-sided shellacking delivered by Volkanovski again in 2023.
The UFC hasn’t made any official bulletins relating to Volkanovski’s subsequent opponent however with Evloev now booked for a five-round battle in July, it appears increasingly more possible Rodriguez may really get that chance.
As for Evloev, he’ll simply must hope he can vanquish Pico in July after which wait and see if his quantity will get pulled to ultimately battle for a UFC title within the close to future.
