Saenz seeks title shot with win over Faber

When most fans are asked about the best of the best in the bantamweight division, they think of T.J. Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, Renan Barao, and Urijah Faber.

But it seems Frankie Saenz is ready to kick the door down and join that list when he fights Faber at UFC 194 next Saturday.

"If I beat Urijah Faber, I should start getting title shot talks," Saenz said to Brad Popkin of MMAmania.com. "They're trying to set up a fight with him and T.J. already and (Dillashaw) still has to get through Dominick Cruz and Urijah still has to fight me. I think it's just going to be an exciting fight."

This wouldn't be the first time that Saenz was overlooked. He was a massive underdog in his second UFC appearance, a matchup with highly touted Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Iuri Alcantara. Saenz was able to use his wrestling to neutralize Alcantara's ground game and grind out a unanimous decision win.

A win over a perennial contender like Faber would give Saenz a spotless record in four UFC appearances and the cachet needed to land him legitimate championship consideration.