AUSTIN, Texas – The UFC lightweight division is somewhat of a mess, but James Vick thinks he can navigate the turbulent waters to earn a title shot by the end of the year.

With the status of champ Conor McGregor unknown, and Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov set to fight for a possibly interim, possibly undisputed title at UFC 223 in April, the 155-pound weight class seems to be in a state of chaos. Vick (12-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) sees that chaos as opportunity, though, and in the coming months envisions a breakthrough.

All of it starts Sunday, when Vick meets Francisco Trinaldo (22-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 126.

“My goal is to be a world champion this year,” Vick told MMAjunkie. “I think I’ll be a world champion by the end of the year. I’m going to get this win. They’re going to rank me around No. 10, top 10. Then I’m going to beat someone else and be ranked in the top five. Then I’m going to be fighting for a world title before the end of the year.”

UFC Fight Night 126 takes place at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Vick vs. Trinaldo airs on the FS1-televised position of the card following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Vick, a Texas native, pushed hard to get the headlining spot. He offered to fight Donald Cerrone, who is in the main event against Yancy Medeiros, at any weight class, but for reasons unbeknownst to him, the UFC was uninterested.

Although the “Cowboy” fight didn’t work out, Vick hoped UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby would make it up to him with a top-10 opponent. Kevin Lee and Michael Chiesa were two of the names who stood out in the rankings, but according to Vick, neither was willing to accept.

It’s a disappointing situation for Vick to be in, he said, but at this point he’s become accustomed to not getting what he wants, then fighting through it.

“In my mind I should have been the main event on this card,” Vick said. “I don’t know why I wasn’t. I offered to fight Cerrone at 155 or 170, either one. I don’t understand why I didn’t get that fight. For me, I think just recently I saw Jake Matthews. I beat this dude four fights ago, five fights ago and he’s on the main card of a pay-per-view (at UFC 221). I’ve never even been on the main card of a pay-per-view, and I have double the wins he has in the UFC.

“I literally have one of the best records in the entire organization, and no one outside of my state even knows who the hell I am because I’m not getting the stuff I feel like I deserve. It’s all good. I’m going to keep winning. I’ve got a decent contract, and I’m going to be asking for more money after this fight. So it’s all good. I’m just going to keep winning.”

Despite his frustrations, Vick said he’s not letting anything take away from his focus. He’s well aware that a loss at UFC Fight Night 126 would be a blow to everything he’s trying to work toward, and Trinaldo is more than capable of taking it away.

“Massuranduba” is one of most physically imposing 155-pound fighters on the UFC roster. At 39, the Brazilian still appears be getting better, but Vick said he still has the superior skillset.

“I think I’m better everywhere,” Vick said. “I think a lot of these guys are shocked at how physically strong I am when we lock up. They think just because I’m tall and skinny they’re just going to be able to go in there and break me over, take me down. … I plan on finishing the guy within two rounds. Obviously I’m not going to take any unnecessary risk. It’s win first, but I think he’s going to have to take some chances to get in on me to not get outpointed. When he does, he’s going to get finished.”

Vick said he has the utmost respect for Trinaldo because he was willing to take a fight others won’t. He plans to make a statement at UFC Fight Night 126, though, and advance to a position where he can share the octagon with the biggest names. Vick said he has more topics to get off his chest post-fight, but he provided a snippet about what’s on his mind for the future.

“Those dudes (Chiesa and Lee), their turn, their ship has sailed,” Vick said. “If they sign to fight, I guess I’ll take it, but I’m not calling them out anymore. I’m thinking world titles. I’m thinking Khabib (Nurmagomedov), Tony Ferguson, (Conor) McGregor. I’m thinking title shot. I win this fight, I’m 9-1 in the UFC. That’s the same record as McGregor has in the UFC.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 126, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.