Could Jacare vs. Carmont winner get a title shot?

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza fights Francis Carmont Saturday night at Ultimate Fight Night 36, live from Brazil. While Jacare has the higher profile, Carmont has won six straight in the UFC, through his relentless grinding style.

UFC President Dana White earlier this week that the winner of the fight, or the winner of the UFN 36 main event Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi could get a title shot against the winner of Weidman vs. Belfort at UFC 173 on May 24.

Souza hadn’t even known he might get a title shot with the win.

I hadn’t heard that rumor, Jacare told MMAJunkie. I’m concentrating on my bout against Carmont. He’s a very tough opponent. I understand this. I don’t underestimate his abilities. I’m training for three hard rounds, but I’ll do everything I can so this fight ends early.

You should be very aware of what your opponent does, but ultimately you have to focus on putting your own game into practice. That my objective. I train above and beyond what’s necessary, so I don’t have any worries going in regarding my abilities and tactics, and how they compare to my opponent’s.

If Dana White thinks I need yet another fight before challenging the belt, that’s not a problem. If he thinks I’m ready now, that’s not a problem either. I just want to put my game into practice and entertain the fans with very active and creative fights. I fight for the fans. They pay my salary. I respect them a lot, and I do all I can to win the fight before the final buzzer.

(6:05 mark)