Dennis Bermudez will take Ricardo Lamas for $500, Gorgeous George

Surging UFC featherweight contender Dennis Bermudez believes he can take on the entire division, but he’s got a specific opponent in mind: Ricardo Lamas.

It took a “Jeopardy!”-style Q&A to get that answer, mind you, but MMAjunkie Radio took Bermudez beyond the standard “I’ll fight anybody” and got the goods.

“Late November or early December, how’s that sound?” Bermudez (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) added as a time frame for a potential bout against Lamas (14-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who recently got back in the win column with a decision victory over Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night 44.

The 27-year-old Bermudez already boasts seven straight wins (and four fight-night bonuses) in the octagon, and a title shot wouldn’t be out of the question. Following a recent win over Clay Guida at UFC on FOX 12, “The Ultimate Fighter 14? finalist made it clear he wants such an opportunity.

But short of that, a win over a onetime title challenger would suffice as he looks to find the tipping point at which the UFC is compelled to give him a fight with champion Jose Aldo (or upcoming title challenger Chad Mendes).

And, of course, Bermudez is willing to accept whatever the promotion throws his way as he continues on his mission. The winner of the title rematch between Aldo and Mendes would be ideal, but there’s also Cub Swanson or Frankie Edgar, who are rumored as future opponents but remain unbooked.

“Realistically, every name you just said, I’ll fight them,” said Bermudez, who’s ranked No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA featherweight rankings. (Lamas, who was outpointed by Aldo at UFC 169, is currently No. 5.)

The key to having a good performance, Bermudez ventured, goes back to his wrestling days, when he would wear down opponents with consistent pressure and aggressiveness. Add to that improved skills in MMA, and matchups that highlight his strengths, he said, and the stage is set.

Bermudez said he sizes up a fight with Aldo every chance he gets. In the meantime, Lamas might be encouraged to accept a bout given his desire to get back into title contention.

“I’ll tell you what,” Bermudez said of Aldo, “I’ve got something for that guy, man. I think I can beat him. I’m around certain people that know him very well, and I could beat him.”

To get to his ultimate goal, however, Bermudez won’t do anything different that what he’s been doing already: winning fights.

“I’m doing everything I can that’s within my realm,” Bermudez said. “I’m not going to talk s–t. That’s not my style. I’m not going to be over-comedic, because I’m not a comedian; I’m a fighter. You know what? Hell with it. If I keep winning, people will take notice. So that’s my game plan.”

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MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.