Dennis Bermudez: ‘Realistically, I want the title shot’

With the third longest active win streak on the UFC roster, Dennis Bermudez believes it is just a matter of time before he is handed a title shot for his efforts.

The TUF veteran is coming off a fantastic second round submission victory over the durable Clay Guida, which put him at seven consecutive wins since losing his official UFC debut to Diego Brandao. It was a remarkably impressive win considering Guida had not been submitted since his loss to Kenny Florian at UFC 107 five years ago.

While Bermudez is convinced he has done enough to prove his worth, he is aware that the featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes is booked for UFC 179 on October 25 in Rio de Janeiro. The delay in the contest and the existence of a No. 1 contender - Cub Swanson - means that the New York resident will likely have to take another fight before he is awarded the coveted shot.

"Whoever they give me [will be fine],"Bermudez mentioned at the post-fight press conference. "Realistically, I want the title shot. I have got a lot of wins. I've been finishing guys and I'm an exciting fighter."

While Bermudez's two consecutive post-fight bonuses make it evidently clear that he is an exciting fighter, victories over the likes of Steven Siler and Max Holloway are unlikely to get him close to a title shot. A Top 5 opponent should help Bermudez take that final step into the upper echelon of the division.