You're damn right: If Raphael Assuncao wins at UFC 212, he's not shutting up about a title shot

Two times – two times – Raphael Assuncao had a contract in hand to fight for a title. If he wins at Saturday’s UFC 212 event, he’s going to make sure the third time’s a charm.

Assuncao (24-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC), whose title hopes were ultimately spoiled due to injuries, meets former WSOF bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes (18-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in the featured preliminary-card bout at UFC 212. It airs on FS1 prior to the pay-per-view main card at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

Assuncao is No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, and Moraes is No. 6.

If Assuncao gets the win – he’s currently a small underdog at the sports books – he said he expects to get a title shot. Again.

“In an opponent like Marlon, a former world champion, yup, that’s what I’m expecting,” he told MMAjunkie. “Definitely. That’s what I’m hoping for.

“I’ll campaign for it. Don’t worry, guys. I’ll be vocal and campaign for it.”

The usually mild-mannered Assuncao plans to speak up and push for what he feels he deserves. After all, the 34-year-old Brazilian is on an 8-1 run; the lone loss came to former champion T.J. Dillashaw (14-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC). With current titleholder Cody Garbrandt (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) sidelined due to a back injury – Dillashaw possibly moving down a division to fight flyweight dominant champ Demetrious Johnson – the bantamweight title picture is wide open. Assuncao just doesn’t want to see another opportunity fizzle.

“I’d love to have my chance to fight for the belt,” Assuncao said. “It didn’t happen in the past due to injuries. But all those injuries have fully healed now. Everything is cool. I take a lot of care not to overtrain. I’m feeling great.”

He just hopes that good health continues.

“I’ve had two chances with contracts in my hand, and I couldn’t sign the contracts because I had injuries – some pretty bad injuries,” he said. “But a win over a guy like (Moraes), that’ll definitely qualify me again.”

Moraes may not be established in the UFC, but with WSOF, where he ran his current winning streak to 13, the 29-year-old became one of the highest-ranked fighters outside of the UFC. So even though he’s not listed in the current and official UFC rankings, Assuncao knows this could be a quality and vital victory.

“A (UFC-)ranked opponent might have been better, but I campaigned to face (ex-champ) Dominick Cruz, and he didn’t want to take me up on it – only if for the belt,” he said. “So when the possibility of fighting Marlon was presented, I accepted.

“There is a contrast of styles. He’s more of a striker, and my background is jiu-jitsu. That’s fine. It will be a good fight. Of course, we as MMA professionals train in every facet, and we’ll be trying to impose our game.

“Even though Marlon is not ranked in the UFC, hardcore fans know who he is. Considering his resume, a win over him would further raise my stock in the UFC.”

Check out the full conversation above.

And for more on UFC 212, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.