Why surging Rani Yahya won’t call for big-name opponents after TUF 18 Finale

If victorious tonight at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, Rani Yahya will move to 5-1 in the UFC with four consecutive victories. Still, he’s not ready to grab the mic and boldly declare he should be fighting top contenders.

Yahya (19-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who meets Finnish newcomer Tom Niinimaki (20-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in a FOX Sports 1-televised bout tonight at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center, expected a more prominent opponent. He also expected a bigger name when he recently fought and defeated Josh Clopton at UFC 163.

“Without a doubt, I do think now is a good time to face another top contender,” Yahya told MMAjunkie prior to the Niinimaki booking. “To be honest, I was expecting a top-10 opponent when I was booked against Josh Clopton. But I don’t pick my opponents. I am a UFC employee. I accept all bookings.”

The subsequent Niinimaki booking raised a few eyebrows. Yayha has fought 12 times under the UFC/WEC banner, and his only UFC loss came to perennial contender Chad Mendes. Niinimaki, though largely unknown in the U.S., boasts an 11-fight winning streak, and recently, he defeated big-show vets Chase Beebe and Walel Watson while defending his title in the Finland-based Cage promotion.

While Niinimaki may not be a household name to most fans, Yahya knows it’s a dangerous proposition for his title hopes.

“After this fight, I wish to be matched up against the top fighters in my weight class,” he said. “I think I’m facing Niinimaki now due to possible scheduling conflicts or injuries to other fighters.

“But everyone is dangerous. Everyone has a tough road to the UFC. And once here, there are no easy fights. That’s why we must be very well prepared.”

Still, Yahya, who’s been training with Team Constrictor in Brasilia (he calls the camp, which has many lighter-weight fighters, a Brazilian version of Team Alpha Male), believes he has the clear edge tonight.

“He has good boxing and good takedowns, and he’s coming off a great win streak,” he said. “He also fights well on the ground. But I think I’ve faced tougher guys. I’m feeling great about this. Without a doubt, I should be the favorite. I feel very much at home in the UFC. I know how it all works, inside and out. I’m well-adapted and very comfortable fighting in the UFC.”

Prior to the Clopton win, Yahya also earned UFC victories over Mizuto Hirota, Josh Grispi and Mike Brown. The 29-year-old Brazilian fighter could be knocking on the door of a top 10 ranking, and in the UFC’s increasingly competitive 145-pound weight class, he could be one good stump speech away from a top opponent.

However, even if he emerges victorious tonight, don’t expect Yahya to make any demands from the UFC matchmakers in an effort to improve his marketability.

“I do think about that,” he said. “Many fighters market themselves very well. Some fighters are very skilled in marketing themselves and get better opportunities because of that. But everyone has their own style.

“I mainly want concentrate on my fights and be promoted in the rankings due to my fight record only.”

For more on the TUF 18 Finale, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.