“Me and Duke (Roufus) just had this discussion last night. You hear all the stories and I have friends texting me that Eddie Alvarez is going to get a title shot, or (Gilbert Melendez) is going to get a title shot. I mean, I’m to the point where I’ve just got to prove it … Line them up and I’m going to knock them down until I get that title shot … If you look at all the guys you mentioned and the competition they’re fighting, me and Cowboy are the guys that have been fighting the hardest competition. I mean, we’re in the UFC with the best of the best; we’re in the trenches. You’ve got the two best guys in the UFC. I feel like me and Cowboy are right at the top, and the winner of this fight should be next in line for a title shot … No more Mr. Nice Guy. I sat there and tried to play that role, ‘oh the title shot’s going to come, I’m going to sit and wait for it.’ I’m taking it this time … I’m going to get the respect I deserve.”
