Not yet, “Lord.”
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Brazilian fan-favorite Jean Silva scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 324 last weekend (Sat., Jan. 24, 2026), outworking the ultra-durable Arnold Allen to a unanimous decision victory inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Still, Volkanovski isn’t buying it.
“I thought that was going to be a real challenge for him, and he passed it — he looked really good in the later rounds as well,” Volkanovski told reporters during UFC 325 media day. “That’s what you want to see from a prospect against a guy like Arnold. Arnold’s calculated, he’s fit, he’s got cardio — and Silva showed he could match that and still get the win. It was promising.”
Praise aside, the champ drew a firm line.
“Has he earned a title shot just yet? I don’t think so,” Volkanovski added. “I think you’re going to get Movsar and Lerone fighting — and that obviously makes the most sense for me. When you look at their records and resumes, legacy-wise, that looks great for me.”
When Volk speaks, the UFC listens … right?
Apparently not because previously pushed for matchups with Murphy and Evloev after Murphy’s brutal knockout of Aaron Pico (watch highlights), yet neither bout materialized. And with Silva quickly becoming one of the promotion’s hottest new names, logic may once again take a back seat.
For now, though, Volkanovski has business to handle. Lopes awaits this weekend, and regardless of future contenders, the reigning champ knows better than to look past a dangerous opponent standing directly in front of him.
