Raphael Assuncao: My Fight With Dillashaw Was More Competitive, I Should Get The Next Shot

Raphael Assuncao lost his chance to face fellow Brazilian Renan Barão at UFC 173 after suffering an unfortunate rib injury. The 31-year old then had to sit back and watch T.J Dillashaw, who he beat in October, knock out the bantamweight kingpin to become the new champion of the world.

Well, Assuncao is gunning to be be the first challenger to the champs reign as he thinks it’s the “perfect finale”:

“I hope they give me the title shot, I want to fight T.J. Dillashaw next. He said he deserved to win the first fight, so it’s the perfect finale.” Assuncao told MMAFighting.com. “They didn’t say anything concrete yet, but said it’s a possibility.”

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt beat the new champion in a close split-decision at UFC Fight Night 29. Assuncao thinks his win over Dillashaw entitles him to the next shot with their fight being so even.

“T.J. dominated him for five rounds and even got the TKO in the end,” he said. “I will never demerit Barao, but I deserve to fight (for the title). My fight with T.J. was way more competitive.”

With a win already over Dillashaw under his belt, there is a good chance the UFC could go with that option. Assuncao says he will be ready to return in a couple of months, around September or October, after he’s had a full training camp.

“I will be 100 percent recovered and ready to start a camp in four weeks,” he said. “I’m already training, but I’ll be able to start a training camp in four weeks.”

If Assuncao does get the next shot, he thinks the new champion will need to change his style to prevent the same outcome as before.

“He needs to change his strategy because it won’t work against me and he knows that. It’s a fight and anything can happen, and that’s why MMA is so exciting.”

There’s no official word yet on who the champ will face for his first title defence, it could be a rematch with either Brazilian. Who do you think is best suited to fight Dillashaw next?