Tarec Saffiedine recently took a shot and called out top welterweight contender Rory MacDonald for a fight inside the Octagon.

And it looks like it may have paid off.

Speaking to "UFC Tonight," MacDonald said he's all for a fight against the last man to hold the Strikeforce welterweight title, as long as UFC matchmakers concur that it gets him closer to his much-desired title shot.

"He thought the fight made sense for him but would leave it up to UFC," said UFC insider, Ariel Helwani. "If UFC thinks that fight gets him closer to a title shot, he's all for it."

While Rory put on one of the best performances of his career at UFC 174 earlier this year, shutting down Tyron Woodley for three rounds (highlights), promotion president Dana White didn't feel it was enough to leapfrog the winner of the Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Brown UFC on FOX 12 fight for a crack at the 170-pound title.

A win over a dangerous fighter like Saffiedine would surly get him there.

Tarec, meanwhile, has been riding the pine with an upper body injury that bounced him from his scheduled fight against Jake Ellenberger, which was supposed to go down at UFC 174 earlier this year. "Sponge" made a successful UFC debut by defeating Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC Fight Night 34 this past January.

Saffiedine wants it, MacDonald is down, now it's up to Joe Silva and Co. to make it happen.