Alexander Volkanovski has been a dominant champion in the UFC featherweight division for years. He defended his title against top fighters like Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and Korean Zombie. His long reign was shocked when Ilia Topuria knocked him out. At UFC 314, Volkanovski won back his belt and is now preparing to defend it again.
Yair Rodriguez is one of the most talented fighters in the featherweight division. Known for his creative and exciting style, he has produced some of the best finishes in UFC history. His spinning elbow knockout of Korean Zombie is still remembered as one of the most spectacular moments. Despite his skills, Rodriguez lost his first fight with Volkanovski by TKO, showing a clear gap between them.
Recently, Lerone Murphy, a fellow featherweight contender, expressed concerns about the UFC’s rumored plan to have a rematch between Volkanovski and Rodriguez. He said the first fight already settled who was better. Murphy believes there are other fighters who deserve a chance to fight for the title more than Rodriguez.
Rodriguez’s last fight was against Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314. Pitbull was an unranked fighter making his UFC debut. Many see this as a sign Rodriguez’s recent opponents have not been the strongest. Murphy suggested that Movsar Evloev deserves a title shot instead. Evloev has been winning consistently and has not gotten enough attention. He would bring a fresh challenge to Volkanovski that Rodriguez may not offer.
Murphy admitted he may also need another win before a title shot, but he supports Evloev getting a chance. This reflects a concern that UFC sometimes favors fighters with big names or highlight moments instead of those who have earned the opportunity through steady results.
The discussion over the next challenger in the featherweight division continues. Fans and fighters are watching closely to see if the UFC will choose merit and fresh matchups or stick with familiar stars. The upcoming decisions will shape the division’s future and the legacy of Volkanovski’s championship reign.
