Jose Delgado targets UFC featherweight title shot after Jean Silva bout

Although he has a difficult challenge ahead of him, Jose Delgado is already thinking about his next move in the UFC featherweight division. The Mexican prospect is expected to face Jean Silva at Noche UFC 4 in Glendale, Arizona, and is confident that a win over the Brazilian could put him in position to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the division's title.

Jose Delgado Targets Alexander Volkanovski

Although there is no official confirmation from the UFC, Silva could potentially move into title contention with a win over Delgado, as the Brazilian currently sits at No. 6 in the weight class. Based on that assumption, Delgado believes that if he is the one to emerge victorious at Noche UFC 4, then he should replace Silva as the next in line to face Volkanovski.

"Then I get Volkanovski next," Delgado told Yahoo! Sports. "Who's next right now in the featherweight division? Why are we talking like there is anything else? If Jean Silva took out Yair Rodriguez, he'd be next. Why wouldn't I steal that spot? What else?"

Despite his expectations, Delgado doesn't appear to be that close to a title shot. The Mexican fighter is ranked No. 15 in the UFC's featherweight division, with many other contenders standing between him and the champion.

Jose Delgado Replaced Yair Rodriguez

Initially, Silva was scheduled to face Yair Rodriguez, but the Mexican fighter had to withdraw from the bout due to a groin injury. Delgado stepped in on relatively short notice and will have to pull off a significant upset on Sept. 12 to make that plan a reality. While Silva has established himself as one of the division's leading contenders, Delgado still sits outside the top 10.

A win over Silva would give Delgado one of the biggest victories of his UFC career and could put him in the conversation for a title shot. First, however, Delgado will have to get past Silva at Noche UFC 4.