Another fighter can dd his name to the list of those who want a UFC Bantamweight Title shot and that person is Raphael Assuncao.
Assuncao, who has fought champion TJ Dillashaw twice before, makes his case for being next for the 135 pound title holder.
“I don’t know any other reason I shouldn’t be the next guy, unless they go by Twitter followers,” Assuncao told MMA Fighting. “If they go by Twitter followers, then I probably won’t be that guy. And I can cry about it but that’s the truth, right? There’s nothing more I can do about it other than campaign and try to be a truthful guy. If they go by who has the most Twitter followers and Instagram followers, then I probably won’t be that guy. But if they go by the most deserving, the most consistent, and one of the best fighters in the division, I’ll be that guy. I’d definitely be that guy. I’ve never missed weight. I’m the most consistent guy in this division, probably up there with T.J., because T.J. is a pretty consistent champion,” Assuncao added. “I think he’s one of the most consistent guys out there. Other than myself and T.J., there’s no other fighter in there who’s as consistent as we are.”
The bantamweight contender picked up a split decision win over Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night 19, while suffering a unanimous decision loss to him at UFC 200.
Dominick Cruz was another fighter who called for an opportunity against Dillashaw and Assuncao says he should get the shot before Cruz.
“Hell no, man. He doesn’t deserve a title shot,” Assuncao said. “He’s a respected athlete in the division, but heck no, he does not deserve to just get back out there. Me having been the consistent guy, doing my job, fighting, and even Marlon doing his job in second place, which is fighting, and then Dominick ... Dominick hasn’t fought. He’s not working. He’s doing FOX stuff. FOX doesn’t count here. If we’re talking fighting, FOX doesn’t count here. So, who’s fighting? Myself and Marlon after me. Marlon comes after me. I beat the guy.”
Neither Dillashaw or the UFC has commented on who may be next for the champion, who just defeated Cody Garbrandt at UFC 227.
