LAS VEGAS – After his dominant win at Dana White’s Contender Series 39, Albert Duraev is shooting straight for the top.
The former ACB middleweight champion made quick work of Caio Bittencourt with a first-round submission to punch his ticket to the UFC on Tuesday and isn’t looking to waste any time.
Duraev (14-3) wants the winner of the Oct. 23 main event fight between former title challengers Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori, and White seems open to the idea of giving him a top contender right off the bat.
“Hearing Dana White say that makes me very, very happy,” Duraev told MMA Junkie and other reporters in attendance at the UFC Apex following Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 39 event. “I know in a month there will be a big fight between Paulo Costa and Vettori, and I’m ready to fight with the winner of that fight. Like I said, I’m ready for any opponent the UFC would give me.”
To see the full interview with Duraev, check out the video above.