Video: UFC on FOX 9's Chad Mendes says fight with Lentz should solidify next contender

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With four straight wins on his recent resume, onetime UFC title challenger Chad Mendes is one of the most successful featherweights in the promotion.

If he beats Nik Lentz on Saturday at UFC on FOX 9, he’ll extend that streak to five and tie with contenders Cub Swanson and Dennis Bermudez, who, like him, want a crack at the most successful fighter in the division, champ Jose Aldo.

Ricardo Lamas, who’s won his past four, is the next challenger to the title when he meets Aldo at UFC 169. But Mendes (15-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) thinks he should be No. 2 if he’s able to put away Lentz (24-5-2 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) in impressive fashion.

“I think if I go out there and destroy him, it should be me next,” Mendes told MMAjunkie. “But ultimately, it’s up to the UFC. They have a plan; they have stuff set in stone already. If they don’t think it’s ready, it’s not going to happen. They’re the boss and they tell me what to do.

“I basically just train my butt off and keep beating whoever they put in front of me, and eventually, they have to give it to me. That’s how I’m looking at it.”

UFC on FOX 9 takes place Saturday at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif. Mendes vs. Lentz serves on the event’s FOX-televised main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie.

Mendes could not only up his status on Saturday, but set a record for consecutive knockouts with a KO of Lentz, who’s won his past three including a recent decision over Hacran Dias.

On his road to redemption after a KO loss to Aldo at the start of 2012, Mendes has stopped Cody McKenzie, Yaotzin Meza, Darren Elkins, and most recently, Clay Guida. All have fallen to his heavy hands.

In the video above, Mendes talks about the challenge of staying on task as inquiries of a rematch with Aldo persist.

For the latest on UFC on FOX 9, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.