Currently riding an eight-fight winning streak, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza might only be a stone's throw away from a fight for the UFC middleweight championship. While no opponent or date for champion Chris Weidman's next title defense has been formally announced, it is expected that number-one ranked Luke Rockhold will receive the next shot. Jacare, however, is positive that he will have a chance of his own soon, be it in the middleweight division or one weight class above, at 205 pounds.

"I will always be ready to become the champion," Souza told MMA Fighting. "I work for the UFC, and some fighters like to do the matchmaker's job. I'm a fighter. If the UFC sets a date with any opponent at 185 or 205 pounds, I will be ready to become the champion."

The Brazilian submission artist is no stranger to championship belts, and held the 185-pound title in Strikeforce. He expects his next opponent to be Yoel Romero Palacio, who he was supposed to face on two separate occasions in the past, at UFC 184 and UFC on FOX 15, but both times the fight has been cancelled due to injuries.

"There's no other opponent that makes sense except for Romero, so that's a fight that might happen," Souza explained what's next for him. "I'm just waiting for the UFC to announce it."

A win over over Romero would finally cement Jacare as the number-one contender in the UFC's packed middleweight division and, in his opinion, could even be his ticket for Rockhold's current spot.

"Sooner or later I will be the title contender, no doubt. Things happen pretty fast in the UFC. I will only know if Rockhold will really fight Chris Weidman when he signs the contract or the UFC announces it, or I'm next", says Jacare.

Rockhold worked his way up to the number-one spot in the rankings with a dominant victory over former 205-pound champion Lyoto Machida in April.

"He did a wonderful job against Lyoto, it was impressive, but Romero did the same thing because Lyoto is not in a good stage right now," Jacare said. "Unfortunately, he's not doing well recently, and that's why Rockhold and Romero did what they did. And when I get Romero, I will prove that."