UFC 323 rumors have been circulating online, fueled by a post from a page called Octagon Pulse suggesting that Alexander Volkanovski will face Movsar Evloev in the main event on December 6th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Social media quickly exploded with excitement at the prospect, with fans debating the potential clash between the featherweight king and the undefeated Russian contender.

However, the report did not last long as credible sources stepped in. Alex Behunin of MMA Mania took to X to debunk the news, simply tweeting “False” while retweeting the Octagon Pulse post. This creates uncertainty in the featherweight division, especially given Evloev’s evident desire for a title opportunity.

Despite being the UFC’s top-ranked featherweight, Movsar Evloev appears to be planning at least one more high-level bout before challenging Volkanovski for the crown. The 31-year-old has shown an interest in facing Lerone Murphy or Diego Lopes as potential eliminators, making it clear that he wants to stay active while preparing for a future title opportunity.

“Congratulations, Diego Lopes. Let’s do the rematch, or maybe I can fight Lerone Murphy; it doesn’t matter, any of these two guys,” Evloev posted on X, expressing his readiness to compete against top contenders before challenging Alexander Volkanovski.

Following his victory over Jean Silva in the Noche UFC, Lopes appears to be in line for a second chance at ‘The Great,’ while Evloev and Murphy may face off in a final eliminator. Movsar Evloev is confident in his ability, maintaining that he is the only fighter capable of defeating Volkanovski, but he is willing to face Murphy or Lopes first if the UFC wants it.

The official card for UFC 323 is currently in flux, with the main event yet to be announced. Fans will have to wait and watch if Volkanovski’s next defense will be against Lopes, Murphy, or another top competitor, and whether Evloev will finally get the title shot he has been patiently working for. The featherweight division is surely shaping up to be a challenging puzzle for the UFC to solve, and that’s why Daniel Cormier has pitched in with some ideas of his own.

Daniel Cormier pitches booking ideas for Volkanovski

Cormier has been paying close attention to the chaos erupting in the UFC featherweight division, and he isn’t afraid to share his thoughts on how it could be resolved. With Alexander Volkanovski preparing for his next defense, Cormier wants clarity on the contender landscape while keeping the matchups intriguing and high-stakes.

According to ‘DC,’ some of the division’s current dynamics are more about personal rivalries than rankings, which might lead to entertaining fights if booked correctly. On his “Good Guy/Bad Guy” podcast with Chael Sonnen, Cormier described a strategy for balancing quality and spectacle. He proposed Volkanovski versus Murphy for the next title shot, while suggesting Lopes face Yair Rodriguez, capitalizing on the rivalry and history between the two.

He said, “The title shot for me is Volk vs. Lerone Murphy. Then I want to do Lopes vs. Yair Rodriguez.” Cormier proposed a matchup against rising star Youssef Zalal for Evloev, describing it as a proving ground that could either propel Evloev into a title fight or elevate Zalal as a legitimate contender.

‘DC’ also highlighted Aljamain Sterling as a backup possibility, assuring the UFC has backup plans while keeping the division’s top fighters busy. Cormier’s approach exemplifies the tricky balance that the UFC must maintain: respecting rankings, acknowledging fan interest, and feeding existing rivalries.

By intentionally matching athletes such as Murphy, Lopes, Rodriguez, and Movsar Evloev, he hopes to create a competitive, entertaining featherweight landscape that is ready for a clear number-one contender to emerge. The former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion’s insights highlight that, despite the uncertainty online, there is a road map that can benefit both fighters and fans.