Despite Movsar Evloev‘s undefeated UFC record, he’s not getting a featherweight title shot due to the UFC’s focus on entertainment over sport, with Yair Rodriguez favored for the opportunity despite a less impressive recent performance.
Despite an undefeated record with nine consecutive UFC wins, Movsar Evloev won’t get the next featherweight title shot. In a social media post, he expressed gratitude to champion Alexander Volkanovski for advocating their fight. However, Evloev is set for a non-title bout at UFC Abu Dhabi in July.
With Evloev out, Yair Rodriguez seems poised for the opportunity, despite a 1-2 record in his last three fights. One of those losses was a third-round stoppage against Volkanovski. UFC legend Matt Brown says this is typical for a promotion built more on entertainment than pure sport.
“You have to decide if you’re watching for entertainment or sport,” Brown stated on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “A real sport would have third-party rankings and mandatory challengers. The UFC doesn’t operate that way.”
Brown argues that Rodriguez’s title shot over Evloev is just business as usual. On paper, Evloev deserves it more, but the UFC prioritizes profits, keeping investors happy. Hardcore fans might be upset, but the majority of the audience barely knows Evloev.
“Most people don’t even know Movsar’s name,” Brown said. “You mention him at a bar, and no one knows who he is. He’s not out there like Sean O’Malley, making flashy social media videos.”
Evloev’s lack of popularity means he might need to work twice as hard for a title shot. Brown notes that fighters in similar positions have broken through without being the most entertaining.
“It’s an entertainment industry,” Brown explained. “That’s why Movsar isn’t getting a title shot. He should know that. He’s in an entertainment industry.”
Fighters like Colby Covington and Chael Sonnen recognized this, using charisma to earn title shots. Evloev, however, isn’t known for trash talk and has gone to decision in all his wins.
“Things can be entertaining in many ways,” Brown said. “But not talking and having boring fights isn’t one of them.”
Evloev isn’t the first deserving contender overlooked for a title shot, and he won’t be the last. Brown says the UFC holds all the cards, and change would require a fundamental shift in business.
“The UFC has built this brand and controls the sport,” Brown said. “There’s a lawsuit about it, but their objective is to sell tickets and make money. That’s what a business does.”
“If people want to complain, they’ll have to change the whole sport,” Brown concluded. “There’s a good argument for and against how the UFC operates, especially when you understand business.”
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