Jacaré believes he will be the next challenger for the middleweight belt

Jacaré beat Belfort in Curitiba. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Even without being physically capable of accepting the invitation to compete for the middleweight belt, Ronaldo Jacare attended UFC 199, last Saturday (4), and saw up close the surprising victory of Michael Bisping about Luke Rockhold to become the new champion. Now, the Brazilian believes he has done enough to receive the opportunity to be the Englishman's first title challenger.

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Shortly after the injury Chris Weidman, Rockhold's original opponent, Jacaré was called up by the UFC to fight for the title. However, the Brazilian was unable to accept, as he had to undergo knee surgery.

Despite his refusal, Jacaré is confident that he is next in line. “I came here today to find out who I will take the title from. I don't have an ounce of fear [of losing the chance to fight for the belt], I'm sure I qualified. O Chris Weidman, unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's coming back anytime soon, the Yoel romero He was caught doping, everyone knows, he is out of the rankings. On the other hand, I did an impressive job, I was robbed with Romero and everyone knows that I have deserved this fight for a long time. If I have to prove it one more time, that's fine, I'll beat up one more person and then I'll get the belt”, said the Brazilian, in a press conference reproduced on the “Combate” channel website.

Jacaré comes from a dominant victory over Vitor belfort at UFC 198 in May. On that occasion, he won the Tupiniquim duel by technical knockout in the first round.