NEWARK, N.J. – John Lineker knows the question is coming even before it’s asked. His recent past in the UFC assures that.

After missing weight for three out of his five UFC fights, the flyweight contender is prepared to answer the question everyone wants to ask.

“[My weight] is very well, thank God,” he told MMAjunkie.

Lineker (23-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has won four straight fights and could be a victory away from a title shot when he meets fellow contender Ali Bagautinov (12-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 169. Their bout is part of the pay-per-view main card of the event, which takes place at Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center.

Lineker is ranked No. 7 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA flyweight rankings, and Bagautinov is ranked No. 8. Both have had recent success, their schedules work for a possible mid-year fight with reigning champion Demetrious Johnson, and whoever emerges victorious on Saturday (Bagautinov is a slight favorite according to the latest lines) would have a win that would justify such a title shot.

But Lineker also has a past. He’s missed weight twice in his past two fights alone, and missing weight on Saturday – or for a title fight – would be a sizable gaffe. So Lineker knows why people are so curious to know about his current weight.

“Yeah, I understand,” he said. “I gave reason for people to ask that question, but thank God, I’ve changed things. I learned, and I’m ready.”

Check out his full thoughts, including his reaction to Bagautinov’s recent criticism, as well as Johnson’s own criticism, above.

For the latest on UFC 169, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.