Dan Hooker sees a clear No. 1 contender for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Diego Lopes (26-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) takes on Jean Silva (16-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in a pivotal featherweight clash, which headlines Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 259 (ESPN+) event at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Lerone Murphy thinks he cemented himself as No. 1 contender after knocking out Aaron Pico with a spinning back elbow at UFC 319. However, Hooker doesn’t think it will be Murphy, No. 1 ranked Movsar Evloev, or Aljamain Sterling, who called for a title shot after defeating Brian Ortega in the UFC Fight Night 257 co-main event.
“I feel like 100 percent whoever gets their hand raised in this fight will be fighting for a title because they’re the most exciting guys,” Hooker told Sky Sports New Zealand of Lopes vs. Silva. “I hear Lopes moves the needle. I know Silva and the Fighting Nerds are doing an incredible job. Winner of this fight gets the title shot, and a lot of people will say, ‘Oh, there are some other guys out there.’ Murphy, I’ve been told he’s too boring.
“Lots of love – maybe on the microphone, not as a fighter, but getting out there, selling fights, and doing that side of things, some fighters just take a little bit more time if you don’t want to say it with your chest. Movsar Evloev, no one cares. No one cares! No one cares to see him fight. Aljamain Sterling, UFC hates you, my friend. I love you, your rum’s outstanding, but the big leagues hate you for some reason. Sorry, the winner of this fight is getting the title shot.”
Volkanovski mentioned Murphy as a possibility for his next title defense in hopes of competing in December. Murphy is prepping for that date, but the UFC is yet to announce Volkanovski’s next fight.
