Bader wants title shot, but re-signing with UFC has 'got to make sense'

Ryan Bader's impending free agency can't keep him from vying for a UFC title.

The "TUF 8" winner is now a free man after finishing Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the last fight on his contract at UFC Fight Night 100 on Saturday. The bout was Bader's 20th in the Octagon, a run he aims to keep alive ... for the right price.

Related: Bader pounds out Nogueira in 3rd round to win rematch at UFC Sao Paulo

"Look, I love the UFC, I want to fight in the UFC. It's got to make sense though," Bader said postfight, according to FOX Sports' Damon Martin.

With a two-fight knockout streak and the UFC's third-most light heavyweight appearances to his name, the 33-year-old is hoping his longevity gets rewarded with a shot at the divisional strap, which Daniel Cormier is set to defend against Anthony Johnson at UFC 206 on Dec. 10.

"That's who I want to fight. I've fought everybody in this division and been consistent. I think I've won seven out of my last eight fights so I feel like I hit my stride now because I had the momentum after my last loss, I said screw it, I'm just going to go out there and do what I do and not over think it. That's my mindset and hopefully things fall into place."

Bader's last loss came via first-round knockout at Johnson's hands in January, meaning he'd get a shot at both revenge and his first title, should "Rumble" even his own score with Cormier.

The veteran's eight-year UFC resume is chock-full of elite names - Jon Jones, Quinton Jackson, and Rashad Evans among them - and he has no intention of taking a step down in competition to secure a new contract.

"I've been top five for a while now and I want those big fights. There's a big fight coming up in December so we'll just have to get with them and see where we go from here really."