Assuncao: What’s a guy got to do to get a title shot around here?
Raphael Assuncao: “I’ve done everything that I have to do, I’ve done everything that I could do, and I don’t know what else to do.”
UFC bantamweight Raphael Assuncao is on a four-fight win streak, and has gone 11-1 his last 12. The sole loss was to division champion T.J. Dillashaw, over two years ago. And he holds a win over Dillashaw, making a trilogy fight for the title a natural. The only fighters ahead of him in the official rankings are the present or former division champions:
Champion TJ Dillashaw
1. Cody Garbrandt
2. Dominick Cruz
3. Raphael Assuncao
4. Marlon Moraes
5. Jimmie Rivera
In a recent interview with Shaun Al-Shatti for MMA Fighting, Assuncao asked what’s a guy got to do to get a title shot around here?
I don’t know any other reason I shouldn’t be the next guy, unless they go by Twitter followers, said Assuncao. If they go by Twitter followers, then I probably won’t be that guy. And I can cry about it but that’s the truth, right? There’s nothing more I can do about it other than campaign and try to be a truthful guy.”
I’ve done everything that I have to do, I’ve done everything that I could do, and I don’t know what else to do. It’s a confusing time right now. It’s just a crazy time in the bantamweight division, I understand that, but let’s make this happen, man. … I’m starting to think of other options, like, get a good lawyer or something, Assuncao said with a laugh.
The next title shot may go to Dominick Cruz who is coming of a title losing Unanimous Decision to Cody Garbdandt, in 2016.
He’s a respected athlete in the division, but heck no, he does not deserve to just get back out there, argued Assuncao. … Dominick hasn’t fought. He’s not working. He’s doing FOX stuff. FOX doesn’t count here. If we’re talking fighting, FOX doesn’t count here. So, who’s fighting? Myself and Marlon after me.”
I’m not the most intelligent guy out there, I don’t know how to break down my thoughts sometimes. Words are limited. I don’t know, maybe it’s the English a little bit. But … this is a sport. … I just think that the original [point] of martial arts should be kept. Let’s keep it simple as that. I think everything around it is okay, it can be forced, it can be funny, it can be crazy, it can be anything you want it to be, but the essence of martial arts should be kept. That’s all I have to say.
Follow Raphael Assuncao on Twitter. Maybe it will help.