Alexander Volkanovski's coach: Jean Silva barking, but not deserving
Joe Lopez echoes the same sentiment as Alexander Volkanovski regarding his next title defense. Featherweight champion Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has his sights set on undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC), who defeated Lerone Murphy in the UFC Fight Night 270 headliner this past Saturday. Top contender Jean Silva (17-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) claimed he flew to London to meet with UFC brass to sign a contract for a title shot, but Volkanovski is not interested – and neither is his head coach Lopez.
"Jean Silva or whatever his name is, barking like the little dog that he is in the background, trying to make a lot of noise to make himself think he's the next one – but he's not deserving," Lopez told Submission Radio . "There's still Aljo (Sterling), guys above him. He's got to earn his spot.
"Don't think because you make a lot of noise you're going to get it, because you're not. ... People assume he's going to be the one, but again, I don't think he's deserving of it.
There's plenty of guys above him. Let him have one or two more fights and then we'll have a look, but you're not ready. " Silva attempted to spice things up when he vowed to leave the UFC if Volkanovski beats him , but Lopez is not budging.
"I think Movsar is going to be the one," Lopez said. "Unless he gets hurt or something happens, I think he's definitely going to be the one we're going to be facing. But again, you never know with the UFC.