Michael Chiesa has always been a worthy contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, however by the end of 2018, he hopes to find himself in pole position at 155-pounds.

The Ultimate Fighter 15 winner Chiesa is booked to fight Anthony Pettis at UFC 223 on April 7th. It will be his first return to the octagon since June 2017, when his three-fight winning streak was snapped by Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night 112.

Chiesa’s fight with Pettis marks just one of several fascinating lightweight fights taking place at UFC 223. Al Iaquinta will take on Paul Felder in the PPV opener, and Tony Ferguson will fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight championship in the main event.

Chiesa spoke with Submission Radio about his thoughts on the April 7th booking.

“It’s perfect,” Chiesa said. “I think it’s meant to be. You know what I mean? This is the card that I was meant to be on. You got Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, you got me and Pettis, Khabib and Ferguson. I mean, that’s six of the finest lightweights on the roster.

“I really believe that if I go out there and do what I believe I’m capable of on April 7th, I think that it’s really launching me into the top five, and I’m looking to be number one contender by the end of the year.”

Chiesa gave his take on the clash of styles in the main event of UFC 223 between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov, and how he thinks the much-anticipated matchup will play out.

“If it’s a finish, it’s gonna be Tony. But if it’s a decision, it’s Khabib. And I think it’s going to go to a decision. I think Khabib is gonna win 3-2, split decision, but it’s gonna be a hard fight. He’s gonna get lumped up and cut up from the top. You know, Tony’s dangerous from bottom, so he’s really gonna have to go out there and earn it.”