It's amazing to think Edson Barboza is a UFC veteran of six years. Before his recent run, the Brazilian had been penned by many as a guy who always delivered exciting fights, but not someone who could consistently beat the best of the best in the UFC's lightweight division.That all seems to have changed now. Barboza's recent run of three wins out of his last four has given him a legitimate chance of being considered for a lightweight title shot. With victories against Paul Felder, Anthony Pettis and last night Gilbert Melendez on his recent record, who could possibly deny him?Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his win against Melendez last night, Barboza was glad to have gotten through a tough battle. He's fully in the belief that his time is now."That was a dangerous 15 minutes," Barboza told UFC.com . "I tried to keep my hands up, and my corner said to be ready for 15 minutes, because he can be very dangerous. If I gave him one opportunity he could have finished the fight."I have a couple of guys ahead of me in the rankings but I feel now is the time. I'm ready to get this belt and I'm ready to fight five rounds. That was my fourth co-main event—please give me the chance to fight five rounds. I am ready for this."Should he go on to fight for the title, it would mean he would have to face his Blackzilians teammate Eddie Alvarez for the belt if he remains the champion. The Brazilian seemingly wasn't letting that occupy his mind last evening."I don't think about this," Barboza said. "Eddie is my friend you know. We were asked to fight one another a few years ago, but I said no and he said no. I think right now, I am really close to him, and he's helped me a lot for this fight. He's fought with Gilbert; he's fought with Pettis. He's my friend, you know. I really hope the fight is never going to happen, because I like him—he's my friend."