At UFC 314 this past April, Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed the UFC featherweight crown with a masterclass performance against Diego Lopes. ‘The Great’ showcased the relentless pace and precision that made him a champion in the first place. The 36-year-old controlled the fight from start to finish, earning a dominant unanimous decision. However, he caught the attention of many by announcing his next opponent.

Volkanovski said, “I do like that undefeated record… I’d love to take that 0, especially for legacy and where I’m at… Movsar, I think is still gonna be up there. I can see him being a problem for a while. I go take him out and he keeps building his resume, to have that name on my resume would be good.” 

Even with an unblemished record and nine straight wins inside the UFC, Evloev has been passed over for the next featherweight title shot. In a recent social media post, Evloev expressed his gratitude towards Volkanovski for backing a potential title clash between them. However, he revealed that he’ll be taking a different path, accepting a non-title fight on the UFC Abu Dhabi card this July.

With Evloev now out of the title picture, the spotlight has shifted to Yair Rodriguez. Despite holding a 1-2 record in his last three outings, including a third-round stoppage loss to Volkanovski, Rodriguez now appears to be the frontrunner for the next featherweight title shot.

As frustrating as the situation may be for the 31-year-old UFC veteran, Matt Brown sees it as nothing out of the ordinary. According to him, it’s simply business as usual for a promotion that prioritizes entertainment over pure competition. MMA Fighting took to their Instagram account to share a conversation Brown had on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer.

He said, “Unfortunately for a guy like Movsar, you have to be a real fan to even know who he is (much less) that he is on a streak and that he could threaten a (champion). The fact is most guys don’t know his name. You go to a bar and mention Movsar Evloev, no one’s going to know who the hell you’re talking about. You can’t necessarily diss the UFC or hate them for the way they do it. It just f**ks the guys like Movsar.”

One of the biggest reasons for Evloev not getting a title fight might be his decision-heavy wins and grappling-centric style. The promotion seems hesitant, likely preferring more fan-friendly fighting styles. As of now, UFC President Dana White has yet to give a title shot to the fighter, nor has he announced his next fight (rumored to be Aaron Pico).

But the decision to sideline the undefeated Russian didn’t sit well with his manager, Ali Abdelaziz. Outraged by the snub, Abdelaziz didn’t hold back, taking aim at the UFC’s top brass. Here’s what he had to say.

Ali Abdelaziz not happy after UFC denied Movsar Evloev’s shot at Alexander Volkanovski

Movsar Evloev was once lined up to welcome former Bellator standout Aaron Pico to the UFC in what could’ve been a high-profile clash. However, that matchup never came to life, as Evloev’s team opted to pass on the bout in hopes of securing a title shot instead. But the undefeated Russian always had his eyes set on the title. However, the writing on the wall suggests otherwise.

It seems that the 31-year-old will have to step back into the cage and prove himself once more before the UFC grants him that long-awaited opportunity. Boasting a flawless record of 19 wins and zero losses, Movsar Evloev has built a strong case as the most deserving contender for a featherweight title shot.

But despite his perfect résumé, the UFC has continued to overlook him, and that frustration has boiled over. In a recent interview with ESPN, Evloev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, didn’t hold back. He openly criticized the promotion’s leadership for repeatedly sidelining his fighter.

He said, “It’s illegal for him not to be fighting next for the title because who’s above him, right? It’s crazy this guy is not even in the conversation. … They say he needs one more.” Evloev has his sights set on a showdown with Alexander Volkanovski this December—but is that timeline realistic? If the champion defends his title in September as expected, turning around for another high-stakes bout just three months later would be an intense and demanding schedule.

Should the UFC have given a nod ahead to Movsar Evloev in the first place? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.