Why on earth should Zabit jump the line? Beating Mendes is more impressive than beating Stephens. Winner of Moicano Aldo should fight Volk. Winner of Stephens Zabit should get Ortega or Edgar if he's not lined up to figth Max next.
Jump what line? to Aldo, whose 1-2 in his last three?
Zabit is currently fighting Stephens who's ranked #6. Mendes is 1-3 in his last 4 fights. Mendes shouldn't even have been ranked this high after just 1 fight, same with Korean Zombie after he came back.
Mendes is 5, Stephens is 6. Difference is Stephens was active and has a recent resume whereas Mendes was out for years. A win over Stephens should mean more.