BOISE, Idaho – Undefeated Bellator middleweight Rafael Lovato Jr. believes John Salter was in line for a title shot. Now, it’s a different story.

With just 33 seconds left in a hard-fought meeting at Bellator 205, Lovato Jr.(9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) again showed why he’s one of the more feared competitors at 185 pounds, submitting Salter (15-4 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) with a rear-naked choke to earn his fifth straight win in the Viacom-owned promotion.

“He definitely made it a war and brought out the best in me,” Lovato Jr. told MMAjunkie after his Paramount-televised win at Centurylink Arena in Boise, Idaho.

Going into the third round, Lovato Jr. was worried he might not have done enough to get a decision if the bout went to the scorecards.

“I was definitely concerned,” he said. “I felt like I had to get a big round. I was telling myself, ‘Let’s go. Let’s get this round.'”

Lovato Jr. will wait for the outcome of Saturday’s middleweight title fight between champ Gegard Mousasi and welterweight titleholder Rory MacDonald to map out his next step. But he said it’s inevitable that he’ll be vying for the belt sooner than later.

“I’m ready,” he said. “They give me the opportunity, I’m taking it. I’d love to fight either one of those guys. It would be an honor. They’re both legends; they’re both warriors.

“I’m putting everything into this, and I feel like I’m in a very special phase of my life right now, and I would love this opportunity and this challenge to fulfill my martial arts destiny and become a world champion.

Salter had the identical winning streak before he ran into Lovato Jr. If nothing else, the victorious middleweight said, he’s moved up a pretty big step.

Even if MacDonald wins and sets up a potential layoff for contenders as he fights through the upcoming Bellator welterweight tournament, Lovato Jr. will stay optimistic about his chances.

“There’s always what-ifs,” Lovato Jr. said. “I’m just going to keep getting better, and hopefully, I get the call and that’s what’s next. But I believe it’s only a matter of time.”

To hear more from Lovato Jr., check out the video above.

For complete coverage of Bellator 205, check out the MMA Events section of the site.