Alexander Volkanovski‘s next title defense may not be against the undefeated contender that fans had been hoping for. Despite Movsar Evloev being the logical pick based on merit and rankings, all indicators suggest a rematch with Yair Rodriguez instead. It isn’t the most obvious way forward, but it appears to be the one that Dana White and the UFC want to take. But why?

Well, as is often the case in this sport, Volkanovski’s next move may be motivated by business rather than rankings. However, things took a turn after the UFC pulled the plug on Evloev’s fight against Aaron Pico, raising fresh concerns regarding his availability. Combine that with Rodriguez’s appeal in Mexico and rumors of UFC 320 returning to Guadalajara in September, and ‘El Pantera’ is suddenly back in the mix.

Speaking about the whole fiasco on Submission Radio, MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew summarized the confusion. “I think Movsar has the inside track right now. Because them pulling apart the Pico matchup… whatever the exact reasons that fell apart, unless Movsar is just like catastrophically injured for nine months, the outcome that has always made sense that the UFC is like curiously just deeply uninterested in making is Movsar to fight him [Volkanovski].

“Like it’s the fight that needs to happen for Alexander Volkanovski to prove that he’s the best featherweight on earth. That’s the fight that must occur and he has asked for it. Like he said, he thinks that it should happen, and instead, we spent a lot of time around with Yair for reasons that are known only to God and Dana White… And so, I think he has got the inside track, but that is far from a clear and away locked in the number one contender spot.”

This shift has left analysts and fans dissatisfied, especially given Rodriguez’s shaky form. He has gone 1-2 in his previous three fights, with his single victory coming against Patricio Pitbull, who was making his UFC debut. Nonetheless, for a possible September card in Mexico, Rodriguez provides a home-country narrative that sells tickets. Meanwhile, Movsar Evloev’s withdrawal from the Abu Dhabi event was only explained with vague injury reasons.

The man who perhaps deserves the shot the most is sidelined by uncertain circumstances. The one who seemed to have dropped out of contention is returning to the forefront. And the champion himself? Alexander Volkanovski is just waiting for a name, knowing that when it comes, it may not be the one that proves he is the finest featherweight in the world.

Alexander Volkanovski speaks about the long, long wait…

Alexander Volkanovski is no stranger to waiting, but this particular stretch has begun to feel more like limbo than strategy. After recovering his title at UFC 314, he expected clarity, ideally in the form of Movsar Evloev, the unbeaten Russian he would frequently criticize. And so, Volkanovski told Main Event TV last month how weird the situation had become. “I guess that’s what is happening, which is unfortunate because as I’ve said, I’ve made it clear that I believe he should be next.”

“He deserves it, and I know that he was gonna get the title shot if he was to win that fight. So now that sort of puts a spanner in the works.” The Pico-Evloev booking felt like a detour, and the injury only added to the uncertainty. Alexander Volkanovski is aware that he is not getting any younger, and he wouldn’t like to waste time.

Names like Arnold Allen and Lerone Murphy have been mentioned as prospective fill-ins, although Volkanovski acknowledges that “it’s all up in the air.” He’s not looking for a large payday or legacy points; he just wants a fight that matters. For the time being, it feels like the UFC still hasn’t figured out who that is going to be. What do you think?