UFC fans are not happy about how the promotion is managing the Featherweight division.
Earlier today, undefeated Russian talent Movsar Evloev (19-0) and No. 4-ranked contender announced that he would not be receiving the next 145-pound title shot. For some context, the former M-1 champion is riding a nine-fight UFC win streak over the likes of Diego Lopes, Aljamain Sterling, and Arnold Allen — the longest win streak in the division! Any argument based on merit is going to point to Evloev as the man most deserving of an opportunity at Alexander Volkanovski’s new throne, particularly since it’s a new match up. Unfortunately, it really looks like fight politics are coming into play.
When all the other top contenders are booked and rumors have been swelling that Yair Rodriguez is getting a second title shot at “The Great,” well, fight fans aren’t dumb. The immediate conclusion drawn by pretty much everyone (and supported by more than one inside source as well) is that UFC wants Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez 2 as the headliner for UFC 320, the Noche UFC event taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico on September 13.
The problem is “Pantera” doesn’t deserve another shot. He was trounced by Volkanovski in the first fight, and he’s only won a single bout in his last three tries, getting finished twice in that span. He’s an elite Featherweight, but clearly, Evloev is on the better streak and more objectively deserving of a title shot … though merit won’t help sell tickets in Guadalajara.
That’s the short version of the situation as it’s developing, and fans aren’t happy. Check out a sample of the reactions below:
As much as I hate Movsar’s style I agree.. it feels too much like WWE now.
— DMR (@dmr1619) May 23, 2025
Them constantly booking events and specific venues without an actual plan is insane
They obviously hoped lopes was gonna beat Volk when they booked the 320 venue now they have to scramble to make a bullshit fight that doesn’t make sense
— P (@DKD2421) May 22, 2025
This seems to confirm Volk-Yair 2 which is outrageous to me. Getting finished in 2 of your last 3 fights gets you a title shot now? Because they need a main event in Guadalajara? Volk vs. Evloev is a far more interesting fight. https://t.co/LkXmMkCEds
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 22, 2025
Volk-Yair wasn’t even competitive. Volk beat the bags off of him and did so in every dimension.
— Luke Thomas ️♀️ (@lthomasnews) May 22, 2025
it would be a title shot based solely on the location of the event. Meanwhile they have a fight with built-in hype with Yair-Lopes that could co-main. Nobody wants that rematch.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 22, 2025
Embarrassing if it happens. Truly. Sport killers.
— Fedor’s nephew (@FdrNphw) May 22, 2025
Garbage matchmaking
— chipswarmedals_ (@chipswarmedals_) May 23, 2025
It was initially a joke when I would write that the UFC matchmakers have a fetish for rematches but it’s like becoming the only explanation at this point
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) May 22, 2025
Lots of griping about a potential Volk vs. Yair fight, but ultimately, Holloway and Topuria are no longer in the division, Volk just beat Diego and while Movsar should be next, having a Mexican title challenger for Noche makes sense from a promotional standpoint. pic.twitter.com/4dwNz28itw
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 22, 2025
Another strange aspect of this likely matchmaking is there is a really obvious way to get Yair Rodriguez on the Noche UFC card. He has serious bad blood with Lopes, who just came up short opposite Volkanovski. It was the perfect next match up, an ideal five-round co-main event for UFC 320. Nowwho knows if the all Mexico grudge match will ever come together?
In the evergreen words of Max Holloway, “It is what it is.”
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
