UFC 212's Raphael Assuncao says he's paved his way to a UFC title shot

RIO DE JANEIRO – UFC bantamweight Raphael Assuncao’s title aspirations haven’t dwindled one bit despite one setback.

After spoiling former WSOF champ Marlon Moraes’ (18-5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) octagon debut at UFC 212 with a split-decision win, Assuncao (25-5 MMA, 9-2 UFC) said it’s time for the promotion to put him in the running for another shot at the belt.

“I think I’ve paved my way, and not to mention, the division is (uncertain),” he said backstage at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, where he outpointed Moraes via split call in an FS1-televised prelim. “T.J. (Dillashaw) is going down (to flyweight), and (current bantamweight champ) Cody (Garbrandt) is hurt right now. Dominick Cruz has his own timeframe with the UFC. So who is the next guy?”

Assuncao, the No. 4 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, thinks he’s the one, and he points to a virtually unblemished record since he dropped to the bantamweight division after a run at featherweight. A lone defeat to ex-champ and No. 3 Dillashaw is one counter to an immediate opportunity, but he argues he’s capable of smoothing out the rough edges at the top of the 135-pound class.

Dillashaw and current champ Garbrandt, opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 25,” were set to face off at UFC 213 until a back injury forced Garbrandt to withdraw. Garbrandt chided Dillashaw after he was linked to a flyweight title fight against current champ Demetrious Johnson, who subsequently shot down the ex-champ’s incursion into his division.

Cruz, meanwhile, is gunning for a rematch with Garbrandt, who handed him his first defeat in nine years and 13 fights.

Assuncao doesn’t have quite the same resume at 135 pounds. But he’s still an impressive 9-1 since dropping to bantamweight. Before an ankle injury sidelined him for more than one year, he was due to fight for the belt. Still, he’s found it difficult to get any sort of recognition.

Amid the drama created between Garbrandt, Dillashaw and Cruz, a guy like Assuncao can get lost in the shuffle.

“Apparently, I have to convince people and make a statement,” he said. “I don’t know how, because you guys know how difficult these fights are. You look at tonight – some of the favored guys didn’t do very good.

“I’m fighting newcomers, I’m fighting hyped guys. I was the underdog in this fight. I’m fighting younger guys coming from a huge win streak, and I’m stopping those guys. I just stopped Marlon, who hadn’t lost in five years. What else do I have to do?”

Perhaps his win over Moraes will provide the answer to that question. Assuncao is waiting for some sign that his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

For more on UFC 212, check out the UFC Events section of the site.