Goiti Yamauchi respects Michael Chandler. Just, you know, not enough to change his plans of finishing him quickly.

Yamauchi (22-3 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) meets Chandler (16-4 MMA, 13-4 BMMA) Jan. 20 on the main card of Bellator 192. While the 25-year-old lightweight has had his fair share of Bellator battles, this one carries special weight. Not only is he meeting an experienced former champion, but one who’s fresh off a title loss.

Yamauchi, on his end, knows he’s about to face his stiffest test yet. But if that’s in any way fazing him, he’s doing a fine job at hiding it.

“I really respect what he did in Bellator, but don’t get me wrong: I will not respect him in the cage, and I will end him in two rounds,” Yamauchi told MMAjunkie. “I’m ready to shock everyone and get the win. I’m very confident and optimistic. I’m going to finish him as quickly as possible.”

Bellator 192 takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card airs on Paramout, following prelims on MMAjunkie.

That might be a bit of a bold prediction, considering current champ Brent Primus was the only opponent who managed to get Chandler out of the cage before the fourth round of a pro MMA bout. And even then, Chandler didn’t exactly want to leave.

But, at the same time, it’s in line with what Yamauchi has been doing in the cage; his three most recent battles, starting with a Bellator 162 meeting with Ryan Couture last October, all ended in first-round submission victories. Of the Japanese-born Brazilian’s 22 professional wins, 18 came via submission.

The outstanding recent results, Yamauchi says, are simply a reflection of his and his team’s hard work, paired with the natural blossoming age for high-level athletes. Rather than a good spell, Yamauchi sees it as part of an evolution process that is still not done.

“I’m getting better and better, and there’ll be an even better version on Jan. 20 – the best that’s ever been seen,” Yamauchi said.

Yamauchi is so confident in what he’s already been doing that he hasn’t changed anything in his training for Chandler and the sharp wrestling that usually comes with the ex-champion. Rather, the up-and-comer chose to focus on what he’s already good at.

“To stop his wrestling, it will take good jiu-jitsu and a solid hand on his chin – and I have both,” Yamauchi said.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to think that Chandler, who many expected would get an immediate rematch over Primus given the weird circumstances of their first bout, will get his new stab at the crown with a win over the hungry up-and-comer.

Yamauchi’s situation is a little trickier. While a fourth straight win over someone of Chandler’s caliber does make a strong case, he still has competition like perennial contender Patricky Freire, who most recently beat ex-UFC-champ Benson Henderson, also campaigning for title glory.

But, if you ask Yamauchi, this one is a no-brainer.

“There’s no other way,” Yamauchi said. “This will actually be the title fight, except it only has three rounds. There’s no other fight that makes sense. After this one, I will be the one fighting for the title.”

For more on Bellator 192, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.