Henry Cejudo wouldn’t bet the house on Movsar Evloev getting the next UFC featherweight title shot.
For many within the MMA community, Evloev has been the rightful No. 1 contender since his late 2024 victory over Aljamain Sterling. Instead, Evloev didn’t fight all of 2025. He finally returned to action at UFC London on March 21, defeating Lerone Murphy via majority decision.
Despite the victory, UFC CEO Dana White still didn’t commit to Evloev getting the next crack at 145-pound gold. While White did say Evloev is in a good spot, Cejudo isn’t exactly sold.
During a recent edition of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, Cejudo told Kamaru Usman that he doesn’t believe Evloev is locked in as Alexander Volkanovski’s next challenger (via MMAJunkie).
“I don’t feel like Dana White is convinced that he’s going to give this guy the title shot, because if not, he would have been like, ‘Evloev is next – he’s got it,’” Cejudo said. “You know how when Dana White didn’t like Merab (Dvalishvili) for a minute and then Merab f*cking put it on me? And what he say right after the fight?
“He said, ‘Merab’s got the next title shot. I cannot deny this kid no more.’ When you don’t get that answer from Dana White, it makes it a lot more difficult though. And the only reason why I do say that, too, is because they flew out Jean Silva. According to Jean Silva, I’m quoting him, that Hunter Campbell flew him out. When he brought the contract, gave it to Dana White, said, ‘Hey, Dana White, sign this.’”
As Cejudo mentioned, Jean Silva has been adamant about receiving the next crack at the featherweight title. While Silva was stopped by Diego Lopes, who was defeated twice by Volkanovski, “Lord” believes he brings the excitement that UFC matchmakers are looking for in 2026.
If you had to guess, who gets the next shot at Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC Featherweight Championship? Leave a comment below.