Movsar Evloev will headline UFC London this weekend, but just days ago, he wasn’t even sure he’d be able to compete. The undefeated featherweight contender claimed that visa concerns nearly derailed his main event bout against Lerone Murphy, despite weeks of preparation. Speaking with Full Send MMA, the 32-year-old revealed that there was a time when he thought the bout would not happen at all.

“Last week, I almost knew that I’m not fighting,” he said. “But I still kept my diet, still doing what I have to do.

“Because it’s always one chance, and I believed that finally my faith helped me out.”

Despite the uncertainty, the No. 1-ranked featherweight continued training as if the fight was still on, hoping the situation would be resolved in time. The Russian confessed that the delay was mentally taxing, but he never allowed himself to lose sight of the bigger goal.

“Mentally, I was prepared for it,” he added further through a translator. “I knew there were more things on my way, more stops I had to go through. But this is how it is.

“We are men. We have to deal with this kind of thing. I have a goal. I have a final result that I wanna get to, and nothing can stop me to get to that final point.”

Last week, reports suggested that Movsar Evloev was failing to secure the necessary documents to fly to the United Kingdom, sparking speculation that another contender could step in for the main event. In the end, Evloev managed to arrive in London and confirmed that the hardest part of the week was behind him.

With the fight now officially on, the unbeaten contender will meet Lerone Murphy in a showdown that many believe will decide Alexander Volkanovski‘s next challenger, even if the UFC has not yet guaranteed the winner a title opportunity. In fact, if Jean Silva is to be believed, the promotion has already chosen him as the next one in line to fight ‘The Great’ for the title.

Jean Silva claims Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy’s snub is confirmed

Despite Movsar Evloev making it to London, the title picture remains unclear. As previously stated, many expected the winner of Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy to face Alexander Volkanovski next, but Jean Silva’s recent statements suggest that the opponent for the next title fight may have already been made.

According to the Brazilian, the promotion could be going in a different direction. The No.6-ranked featherweight posted a video while traveling, stating that he had been asked by the UFC to attend the fight in person and hinted that a title deal could be signed soon.

“Let’s go for another one, bro,” he said in Portuguese. “We have a trip invited by Hunter Campbell and Dana White to watch Evloev and Lerone’s fight up close, really close, and sign the belt contract. Let’s go!”

He further added that the promotion for the fight would be the biggest of his career. The statement stunned fans because the London main event pits the No. 1 and No. 3-ranked featherweights, a fight many expected to surely determine the next challenger for Volkanovski.

However, with Jean Silva coming off a victory over Arnold Allen and gaining momentum in the division, it seems the UFC may choose him instead, leaving the winner of Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy without a guaranteed title shot.