UFC featherweight contender Jean Silva has shared his pick for the greatest fighter of all time in the 145-pound division. Following Alexander Volkanovski’s TKO victory over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, debates have intensified over whether Volkanovski has overtaken Jose Aldo as the division’s ultimate GOAT, but Silva holds a different view.
Jean Silva Selects Jose Aldo
Speaking in an interview reported by sports.yahoo.com through MMAjunkie.com, Silva stated that he considers Aldo the true featherweight GOAT based on his lengthy championship reign. “I would say Jose Aldo. We’re talking about 10 years undefeated and being a champion. That has a lot of weight, and I think that Volk would agree. If there is someone who has the authority and the experience to say this, it’s Volkanovski himself, and I think he would say it,” Silva said.
Debating the Featherweight GOAT
While Silva remains firm on Aldo, opinions across the mixed martial arts community vary, with many supporters pointing to Volkanovski, Max Holloway, or Conor McGregor as the best to ever compete in the weight class. Determining the division’s top fighter depends heavily on which criteria observers value most, making Silva’s emphasis on Aldo’s decade-long dominance a valid perspective in the ongoing discussion.
With Aldo retired from competition and Volkanovski still active in the sport, the current champion has additional opportunities to further strengthen his resume and cement his status at 145 pounds. Both Aldo and Volkanovski remain widely recognized among the greatest competitors in the history of the weight class.
